The Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has recommended former Indian captain Rahul Dravid for the prestigious Dronacharya award while sending the current Indian skipper Virat Kohli‘s name for the country’s highest sporting honor, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
The BCCI also recommended legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar’s name for Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award. Shikhar Dhawan and Smriti Mandhana have also been recommended for the Arjuna Award, in recognition of their impressive performances.
Speaking on Dravid’s nomination for the Dronacharya award, CoA chief Vinod Rai said, “Yes, we have sent a number of nominations in various categories to the government. Rahul is the BCCI nominee for the Dronacharya award.”
As for Kohli’s nomination for Khel Ratna, this is the second time his name has been recommended. In 2016, the BCCI had recommended his name for the coveted award but being the Olympic year, the three stars of Rio, PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik and Deepa Karmakar were preferred over the star cricketer.
In Gavaskar’s case, he’s already an Arjuna awardee and his contribution to Indian cricket as a player and then as a critique has been unquestionable. Normally, the Dhyan Chand award is awarded to those who have not got the Arjuna award during their playing days.