New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today nominated Indian Test captain Virat Kohli for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. The top cricketing body also nominated right-hand batsman Ajinkya Rahane for the Arjuna Award.
These nominations by BCCI have come after a gap of four years.
Other sports bodies and associations are also in the process of sending their nominations.
Sports persons nominated for the Khel Ratna Award so far are Incheon Asian Games gold medallist shooter Jitu Rai, squash star Dipika Pallikal, athlete Tintu Luka and ace golfer Anirban Lahiri.
Athletes Lalita Babar and OP Jaisha, shooters PN Prakash and Apurvi Chandela, and archer Laxmirani Majhi have been nominated for Arjuna Awards.
Tennis player Sania Mirza was conferred with the Khel Ratna award last year.
Khel Ratna award carries a cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh while the Arjuna Award will carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.