Virat Kohli just poured his heart out with a special shoutout to our World Cup hero, Mohammed Shami! The icing on the cake? President Droupadi Murmu herself bestowed the Sports Awards honor on him. Now that’s a winning moment worth celebrating!
On the glorious 9th of January, our stellar athletes, who have outshone the rest in their remarkable performances, were honored with the prestigious national sports awards. The ceremony, graced by the esteemed President Droupadi Murmu, unfolded with regal elegance at the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhawan. It was a momentous occasion, celebrating the dedication and excellence of India’s finest sports stars.
Guess what’s making Virat Kohli do a happy dance? It’s none other than his pal, Mohammed Shami, scoring big with the Arjuna Award! Picture this: Shami, the pace sensation, taking the lead in India’s bowling brigade at the ICC World Cup last year, hosted right here in our cricket-crazy nation. Oh, did he make heads turn! Shami pulled off a cricketing spectacle, bagging 24 wickets in the One Day International (ODI) World Cup. Now that’s a tale for the cricketing ages! A big shoutout to our speed maestro!
With Kohli at the helm of the Men In Blue’s batting prowess, Team India, powered by Shami’s stellar performances, successfully reached the ICC World Cup final. The team displayed a flawless tenacity in the round-robin phase, with Rohit Sharma’s squad proving their mettle. However, their dream run was punctuated by a spirited Australia in the final showdown. Shami’s outstanding contribution at the World Cup earned him a well-deserved spot among the prestigious Arjuna Award winners. December brought a delightful announcement from the Sports Ministry, giving the green light to honor 26 remarkable sportspersons, including the cricket maestro Shami, with the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Amidst the grandeur of a majestic ceremony, Shami basked in the warmth of thunderous applause as the cricket luminary stepped into the Rashtrapati Bhawan to claim the prestigious Arjuna award. Brimming with gratitude, Shami took to Instagram to share a heartfelt video following the National Sports Awards. A wave of congratulations from fellow cricket comrades flooded in, with senior batsman Kohli leading the charge with a special message for Shami. The cricketing legends, Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan, along with last year’s awardee Shikhar Dhawan, joined the chorus of admiration for Shami on various social media platforms.
Today is a day bursting with joy as I find myself standing here, filled with pride to accept the esteemed Arjuna Award from the hands of our President. My heart overflows with gratitude as I express my thanks to the incredible individuals who have been unwavering pillars of support throughout my journey, standing by me through thick and thin. A big shoutout goes to my coach, the BCCI, teammates, family, and the dedicated staff. To my fans, your steadfast support has been the wind beneath my wings, and I owe you a debt of gratitude that words cannot fully capture.
This achievement isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s a victory for teamwork and unwavering dedication. Acknowledging the countless hours of sweat and determination, I am genuinely humbled. I want to assure you all that I am wholeheartedly committed to consistently giving my best, with the aim of making my country proud. A heartfelt thank you extends to everyone who has been a part of this journey.
Congratulations to my fellow Arjuna Award recipients! May our collective achievements continue to inspire and propel us to even greater heights. Together, let’s keep reaching for the stars!