Shikhar Dhawan, Asia Cup, India vs Bangladesh
Shikhar Dhawan warns India ahead of the finale clash. Credits: AFP.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended explosive Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan and women’s team player Smriti Mandhana for the prestigious Arjuna Award.

Recently, Board’s acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary confirmed the news.

“We have nominated Shikhar Dhawan and Smriti Mandhana’s names for Arjuna award,” BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said.

Dhawan has been in stunning form since being recalled to the national team during last year’s Champions Trophy. Since then, he has been an integral part of the team across all the three formats.

The left-handed batsman Dhawan, who had scored a record 187 on his Test debut in 2013, finished the Champions Trophy as its highest run-scorer.

Known for his attacking mindset, Dhawan scored a total of 338 runs in the tournament while featuring in five matches including the best score of 125.

In the subsequent Test series against Sri Lanka, he once again starred with the bat. He finished the series as the highest scorer, amassing 358 runs including two centuries in four innings.

Shikhar Dhawan, Smriti Mandhana Nominated for Arjuna Award
Credits: BCCI

Even in this year’s tour of South Africa, he was instrumental in India’s domination in the limited-overs format. After being dropped in the Test series, he bounced back in style while donning national colours.

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Fondly known as ‘Gabbar’, Dhawan was the second highest run-scorer in One-day Internationals.

Moreover, Shikhar Dhawan topped the scoring charts in the subsequent three-match Twenty20 International series.

On the other hand, the 21-year-old Mandhana had played a key role in India reaching the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup in England in 2017.

The batter in the form of Mandhana continued that form this year too. And as a result, she rose to a career-high fourth position in the ICC women’s rankings

In the recent home series against England, promising youngster Mandhana amassed 531 runs including five half-centuries.

Shikhar Dhawan, Smriti Mandhana Nominated for Arjuna Award
Credits: BCCI

Meanwhile, the BCCI has also given the names of Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik as India’s representatives in the World XI team.

The team will play Windies in a charity Twenty20 match at the Lord’s on May 31.

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