Rohit Sharma, Neeraj Chopra, Anjum Moudgil recommended for Khel Ratna awards

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday nominated India opener Rohit Sharma for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2020. Rohit became the first player in the history to score five ODI centuries in a single edition of the World Cup. He was also named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2019. He holds the record of becoming the first player to score twin centuries in his maiden Test appearance and the first batsman to score four T20I centuries.

India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been recommended for the coveted Khel Ratna Award by the committee constituted by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The 22-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medallist had been conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2018.

Anjum Moudgil has been recommended by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for the Khel Ratna Award. The 26-year-old Chandigarh shooter was one of the first Indians to win an Olympic quota through a silver medal at the 2018 ISSF World Championships.

Ishant Sharma has been nominated by the BCCI for the Arjuna Awards. He has been spearheading the Indian bowling attack, mostly in the traditional format of the game and holds the record for most wickets by an Indian pacer outside Asia.

Shikhar Dhawan, who holds the record to score the fastest century in red-ball cricket on debut, has been nominated by the BCCI for Arjuna Awards. He is also the only batsman in the world to have to won consecutive golden bats in the ICC Champions Trophy. Among other records, Dhawan is the quickest Indian batsman to complete 2000 and 3000 runs in the 50-over format and the second-fastest from the country to score 4000 and 5000 runs in the same format.

Deepti Sharma has been nominated for the Arjuna Awards by BCCI. She currently holds the record for the highest individual score among the Indian women cricketers and is also the only spinner from the country to take six wickets in an ODI.

The All India Football Federation has nominated national team central defender Sandesh Jhingan for the Arjuna Award. Since making his India debut during a FIFA World Cup qualifier in 2015, ISL outfit Kerala Blasters’ most-capped player has firmly cemented his players in the Indian team back-line.

AIFF has recommended Bala Devi's name for the Arjuna Awards. The 30-year old Manipuri created history when she signed an 18-month contract with renowned Scottish Women’s Premier League side Rangers FC, becoming the first Indian woman to play outside the country professionally.

Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has been nominated for the Arjuna award by the Indian Weightlifting Federation, though the former world weighlifting champion is already a recipient of Khel Ratna, country’s highest sporting honour.

Top sprinter Dutee Chand, who won a gold in the World University Games in 2019 and two silver medals in the 2018 Asian Games (one each in 100m and 200m), has already been recommended for the Arjuna Award by the Odisha government. (Source: AP)

Manu Bhaker has been recommended for Arjuna Awards by the NRAI. Turning heads since her Youth Olympics days, the 18-year-old Manu has been Indian shooting’s fastest-rising stars, with six ISSF World Cup gold medals already to her name amongst other gold feats.

Saurabh Verma, who has been recommended for Arjuna Awards, Saurabh Chaudhary broke the world record to win a gold medal at the ISSF New Delhi World Cup and secure the quota.

Also recommended for Arjuna Awards, Abhishek Verma now boasts of two World Cup gold medals, an Asian Games bronze, and an Olympic quota place.

Currently the world no. 1 in women’s 10m Air rifle ISSF rankings, Elavenil Valarivan has also been recommended for Arjuna Awards