BCCI recommends Kohli for Khel Ratna

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 2

Ace Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s name has been recommended for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by the Indian cricket board (BCCI). Kohli’s teammate Ajinkya Rahane has been nominated for the Arjuna Award by the BCCI.

It is after a gap of four years that the BCCI has recommended a cricketer for the Khel Ratna. In 2012, the BCCI had recommended the name of former India captain Rahul Dravid for the Khel Ratna, but wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and shooter Vijay Kumar were conferred with the honour for winning medals at the London Olympics the same year. Dravid later received the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian honour, in 2013.

Kohli, who received the Arjuna Award in 2013, got the nomination from the BCCI after he almost single-handedly guided India to the World T20 semifinals, where the team lost to West Indies.

The Indian batting sensation was declared the Man of the Tournament for scoring 273 runs at an impressive average of 136.50 and a strike rate of 146.77, with three 50-plus scores. He was also named the captain of the ICC World Twenty20 XI.

Rahane has got the nomination for his good showing in both Tests and ODIs over the past few months, despite getting limited opportunities to showcase his skills. Last year, India’s limited-overs opener Rohit Sharma had received the Arjuna Award.

Only two Indian cricketers — batting great Sachin Tendulkar (1997-98) and current limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2007) — have so far received the Khel Ratna.

“We have received their recommendations from the BCCI. Their names will be sent to the awards selection committee,” confirmed a Sports Ministry official.

However, Kohli is not assured of getting the Khel Ratna. He faces a tough challenge from the other sportspersons who have been nominated for the award. According to sources, these include Glasgow CWG and Incheon Asian Games gold medallist shooter Jitu Rai, ace golfer Anirban Lahiri, squash star Dipika Pallikal and 800m athlete Tintu Luka.

Archer Laxmirani Majhi, athletes Lalita Babar and OP Jaisha, and shooters Apurvi Chandela and PN Prakash are among the hopefuls in the fray for the Arjuna Award.

The Khel Ratna carries a prize money of Rs 7.5 lakh and a citation, while the Arjuna Award has a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation.