Jasprit Bumrah leading the race for BCCI's Arjuna Award nomination; Shikhar Dhawan could be second name

After missing out on seniority last year, Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as the forerunner in the BCCI nomination for the prestigious Arjuna Award this year. The Indian spearhead missed out on the award last year due to lesser experience and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was conferred the award instead.

The BCCI office-bearers are expected to zero in on nominations for the men’s and women’s categories later this month. However, considering the Gujarat pacer’s sublime form, Bumrah has emerged as the most worthy candidate in the list. If the BCCI decides to send multiple names in the men’s category, senior opener Shikhar Dhawan could also be another name in the list.

The criteria of selection requires performance of at least three years at the highest level. Bumrah, who only had two years of experience in international cricket, failed to clinch the award. However, the bowling spearhead is expected to be bestowed the award this year.

“Last year, we had sent three names in men’s section — Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami,” a BCCI source said as quoted by India Today.

“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,” added the source.

Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the consistent performers for India

Bumrah has proved his mettle in all forms of the sport since breaking into the national side. The 26-year-old has scalped 68 wickets from 14 Tests, 104 wickets from 64 ODIs and 59 wickets from 50 T20Is. Taking his stupendous record for the national side, he has been one of the most consistent performers for Team India.

“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.

Talking about Shikhar Dhawan, his seniority is a favourable factor as all his contemporaries (Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Jadeja) have already got the award.

Hence, a former BCCI office-bearer said that Dhawan’s seniority cannot be ignored and there’s a possibility that the board can send out names of both Bumrah and Dhawan.

“In 2018, we had sent Dhawan’s name for the nomination but only Smriti (Mandhana) got the award. So BCCI can send both Bumrah and Dhawan’s names,” he said.

For the women’s category, BCCI is set to recommend Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey’s name for the award.