BCCI Likely To Nominate Jasprit Bumrah's Name For Arjuna Award

The seamer's nomination was also sent last year but he lost out to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, having only been a mainstay in international cricket for India for two years at that point in time.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to nominate Indian pace spearhead  pacer Jasprit Bumrah's name for the prestigious Arjuna award, the highest sporting accolade a sportsperson can be recognised with. The seamer's nomination was also sent last year but he lost out to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, having only been a mainstay in international cricket for India for two years then. As per sources placed close to the BCCI on this subject, opener Shikhar Dhawan  is the other player besides Bumrah, who is in the fray to get nominated. It is notable that Dhawan's name was previously sent in 2018. In 2019, the BCCI had nominated the names of Bumrah, Jadeja and Mohammed Shami for the award but it was the left-arm spinner who won the award. While Bumrah's term made him ineligible, Shami had quite a few dealings with police and court due to the issues with wife Hasin Jahan. “Last year, we had sent three names in men’s section - Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami,” a BCCI source said. The selection criteria for Arjuna award required a player to complete three years at the highest level which made the award committee overlook Bumrah's case despite the exemplary credentials he had. “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,” the source explained. This time around, Bumrah is not just eligible for the award but has also been one of the best performers in Indian cricket. He, hence, remains one of the strongest contenders for the award. “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. Burmah's nomination is also set to be accompanied by Shikhar Dhawan who has also been a star performer for the Indian team. In fact, if seniority is to be considered, Dhawan has brighter chances of winning the award than Bumrah. Dhawan's contemporaries like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Jadeja have already been conferred with the Arjuna award. If the opener doesn't get the award this time, he might not get many opportunities in the future. “In 2018, we had sent Dhawan’s name for the nomination but only Smriti (Mandhana) got the award. So, the BCCI can send both Bumrah and Dhawan’s names,” he said. With Agency Inputs