Indian cricket team's lanky speedster Ishant Sharma has been conferred with the 2020 Arjuna Award for outstanding achievement in cricket. The Delhi-lad was named among the 27 Arjuna Awardees as part of National Sports Awards 2020. Apart from Ishant, Indian women's star spinner Deepti Sharma was the only cricketer to be conferred with the honor. ALSO READ | Chennai Super Kings Woes With Covid-19 Seem Endless As Team's Second Player Tests Covid Positive Ahead of IPL 13
The 31-year-old senior speedster, who has so far represented the Indian cricket team in 97 Tests, 80 ODIs and 14 T20Is, on Saturday said he will continue to take the nation's name to a higher level through his game till the time his body allows.
"I realised my passion for cricket at a very young age and since then I have been striving to give my 100 per cent effort day in and day out. Every step I took to improve my game was aimed at taking India's name to a higher level. Till the time my body allows, I will continue to do so, and by God's grace after that as well," Ishant said in a statement put out on his official Twitter handle.
"I sincerely thank the ministry (sports) for this recognition.
"Lastly, a huge shootout to BCCI for giving monumental support in this journey and the journey going forward. Not to forget, congratulations to all the fellow Arjuna Awardees," he added.
The 'calm and composed' Ishant was just 18-years-old when he received the call to join for team India against South Africa for 2006-07 tour. In 2011, the Delhi-born became the 5th youngest fast-bowler to take 100 Test wickets.
Ishant will be seen next in action when he plays for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, scheduled to start from September 19.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in India, President Ram Nath Kovind virtually confered the National Sports and Adventure Awards 2020 in historic the first ever virtual award ceremony, held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.