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In a momentous occasion for Indian cricket, the prolific pacer Mohammed Shami was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award by the honourable President of India, Draupadi Murmu. The recognition serves as a testament to Shami’s stellar career and remarkable contributions to the Indian cricket team’s triumphs on numerous occasions.
What made the moment even more special was that Shami stood tall as the sole representative from the cricketing arena among the 26 athletes acknowledged for their outstanding performances in 2023.
Shami’s stellar performance in 2023: A well-deserved recognition
It is worth mentioning that Shami performed phenomenally well throughout 2023. The right-arm pacer’s consistent excellence with the ball across all formats of the game, particularly in the ODI World Cup, where he claimed an astounding 24 wickets in just seven matches, showcased his unwavering commitment to the sport.
While the cricketing fraternity and fans celebrated Shami’s well-deserved recognition, it was the three-word reaction from former Indian captain Virat Kohli that stole the spotlight and resonated deeply with fans across the nation.
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Virat Kohli’s heartfelt reaction: “Mubarak ho lala”
Commenting under a video shared by Shami depicting him receiving the Arjuna Award, Virat expressed his joy with a heartfelt three-word congratulatory message that read, “Mubarak ho lala”, along with raised hands and a heart emoji.
The camaraderie between Kohli and Shami, both on and off the field, is well-known, and the use of the term “lala” added a personal touch, making the message more special as it yet again showcased the strong bond they share as teammates.
Kohli’s return to shortest format ahead of T20 World Cup 2024
Notably, Virat has recently been recalled to India’s T20I set-up for a three-match series against Afghanistan and there are speculations about him being in consideration for the T20 World Cup 2024 squad, further adding to the excitement surrounding Indian cricket.
As social media buzzes with congratulatory messages and the video of Shami’s proud moment circulates widely, Virat’s genuine and affectionate reaction stands out as a testament to the unity and camaraderie within the Indian cricket team.
