The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday said the names of India's Test skipper Virat Kohli and right-handed batsman Ajinkya Rahane have been nominated for the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award respectively as the duo have performed exceptionally well in the past and will continue to do so.
"Looking at the performances of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, the BCCI has nominated their names for the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. I am sure both players have done extremely well in the past and they are going to do well in future as well," BCCI honorary secretary Anurag Thakur told ANI here.
It is after a gap of four years that a cricketer has been recommended by the BCCI for the Khel Ratna.
Kohli, who claimed the Arjuna Award in 2013, was named for the Khel Ratna after he single-handedly guided India to the semi-finals of the World T20.
The 27-year-old was adjudged the 'Man of the Tournament' for smashing a total of 273 runs and was also named the captain of the World T20 XI.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and current limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni are the only Indian cricketers to have received the Khel Ratna so far.
The prestigious award carries a cash price of Rs. 7.5 lakh in addition to a citation, while the Arjuna awardee receives a cash prize of Rs. five lakh and a citation.