Shami was made to sit outside for the first four games of the World Cup and struggled to find a position in the playing 11. But no sooner did he get a chance against New Zealand and took a fifer or 5 wickets. This extraordinary spell of his fetched him the limelight and took his career to a new peak. After this, he never turned back, and at the end of the series, he fetched 24 wickets which is the highest by any Indian in a single series of World Cup.
A distinguished panel of 12 experts will select the recipients of India's prestigious sports awards, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards. Led by the esteemed retired Supreme Court Justice AM Khanwilkar, the committee boasts a wealth of athletic experience and knowledge.
Apart from him, there are six former international athletes in this committee. Hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, former paddler Kamlesh Mehta, ex-boxer Akhil Kumar, women shooter and current national coach Shuma Shirur, former cricketer Anjum Chopra, badminton player Tripti Murgunde and powerlifter Farman Pasha are also part of the panel.