Arjuna Awards: Mohammed Shami honoured by President Droupadi Murmu - WATCH

Cricketer Mohammed Shami was honoured with the Arjuna Award by President of India Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Tuesday. The seam bowler was conferred with the honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

President Droupadi Murmu presents the Arjuna Award 2023 to Mohammad Shami for his excellent performance.#NationalSportsAwards2023 @MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/m0NHOnvdG8

— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) January 9, 2024

Arjuna Award is the second-highest sporting honour in India, behind the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Shikhar Dhawan was the last cricketer to be conferred with the Arjuna in 2021.

Speaking a day before the event, Shami had said, “This award is a dream. An entire lifetime passes by and people are not able to win this award. It’s a matter of great joy and I’m feeling proud.

“A lot of individuals remain mere spectators as they watch others win these awards throughout their life. It’s a dream that remains unfulfilled for many,” he had told news agency ANI.

Shami has been out of action for the Indian cricket team since the ODI World Cup where the national side reached the final against Australia. The pacer skipped the subsequent T20I series against Australia. He was then named in the squad for South Africa but was held back by an ankle injury.

Shami is now likely to miss the first two Test matches against England, with the series starting on 25 January.

“It’s part of the game, being injured or not and taking one’s time to return to action. What matter’s the most however, is appreciating the love that fans shower on players. Will strive to return to the ground as quickly as possible,” said the Gujarat Titans speedster.