PUJARA AND HARMANPREET TO BE RECOMMENDED BY THE BCCI FOR ARJUNA AWARDS

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The BCCI soul governing body of the Indian cricket has suggested the names of Pujara and Harmanpreet for the Arjuna awards to be given in August 2017

“The names have been forwarded to the Ministry of Sports. Both have been exceptional performers during last season and were a unanimous choice from our end,” a senior office-bearer told PTIon Monday.

Pujara had been one of the most consistent batsmen in India’s recently-concluded 13-Test long home season. The No. 3 batsman notched up 1316 runs – the all-time best aggregate by an Indian in a single season. The 30-year-old has 3798 runs at an average over 51 in 48 Tests. He has registered 11 centuries to go with his 15 Test fifties. 

Harmanpreet, on the other hand, has been the cornerstone of India’s batting in the limited-overs format last season. The 28-year-old played a crucial role in India’s first-ever T20I bilateral series win in Australia. Even during a shambolic World T20 campaign at home, Harmanpreet stood out with her all-round show. The Moga-born star then became the first cricketer from India – male or female – to bag a contract in a foreign T20 league when the Sydney Thunder secured her services for the second edition of the Women’s Big Bash League. Subsequently, she was appointed as India’s T20I captain ahead of the new season, against West Indies in November. Harmanpreet went on to lead India to their sixth straight Asia Cup title in Thailand, before embarking on her WBBL stint. Her stand-out performance prompted the franchise to name the debutant as Thunder’s WBBL02 Player of the Tournament.

Meanwhile, BCCI has sent no nomination for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award this year.