Jasprit Bumrah Emerges As The Top-Contender For BCCI's Arjuna Award Nomination; Shikhar Dhawan Could Be The Second Name

Jasprit Bumrah, Indian pace-bowling spearhead has emerged as the top contender for the BCCI’s Arjuna Awards nomination after having narrowly missed out last year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] is expected to zero-in on the Arjuna Award nominations in both men and women’s categories later this month.

Jasprit Bumrah, who has emerged by leaps and bounds in the past two years, especially after he made his Test debut back in 2018, missed out on nominations last year as he had completed just two years in International cricket, while the criteria requires at least three years of performance at the highest level.

“Last year, we had sent three names in men’s section — Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami. That’s why Bumrah, who completed three years of international cricket last year, missed out to Jadeja, who is senior as well as a consistent performer for many years,” a BCCI source told Press Trust  of India [PTI].

“He certainly has the best credentials. He was ICC’s No 1 ranked ODI bowler. He is the only Asian bowler to pick up five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England, Australia and West Indies,” the source said about Jasprit Bumrah.

Shikhar Dhawan could also be named alongside Jasprit Bumrah; Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey set to be named as Arjuna Award nominees from the Women’s team

If the BCCI considers sending multiple names then veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan could find himself among the nominated candidates.

“In 2018, we had sent Dhawan’s name for nomination but only Smriti (Mandhana) got the award. So BCCI can send both Bumrah and Dhawan’s names,” he said.

In Dhawan’s case, seniority is a big factor as most of his contemporaries (Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja) have all been honored with the same.

With Mohammed Shami currently having a case filed against him by his wife, it is unlikely that the board will send the fast bowler’s name this time around.

And, as far as Women’s cricket is concerned, off-spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma and fast bowling spearhead Shikha Pandey, who is also a Squadron Leader with the Indian Air Force, are set to be nominated for the prestigious award.

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