BCCI Recommends R Ashwin And Mithali Raj's Name For Khel Ratna Award

Apart from this, the names of KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Shikhar Dhawan have been sent for the Arjuna Award.

Photo: ANI / AFP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to send the names of off-spinner R Ashwin and Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj for this year's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Apart from this, the names of KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Shikhar Dhawan have been sent for the Arjuna Award.

Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments confirmed the names. "We had a detailed discussion and it was decided to send in the names of Ashwin and women's Test and ODI skipper Mithali's name for the Khel Ratna. We are recommending Dhawan again for the Arjuna while we will also suggest the names of Rahul and Bumrah," the source told ANI.

Last year, Team India's vice-captain Rohit Sharma, para athlete Mariyappan Thangavelu, table tennis champion Manika Batra, female wrestler Vinesh Phogat and hockey player Rani Rampal were honored with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Apart from Rohit, fast bowler Ishant Sharma and women's cricket team member Deepti Sharma were selected for the Arjuna Award.

Earlier, the Sports Ministry had decided to extend the last date for submission of applications for the upcoming National Sports Awards 2021.  In this, the ministry extended it by a week till July 5.

National sports federations were earlier asked to send applications by June 28. Many NSFs including Tennis, Boxing and Wrestling have sent applications, while now BCCI has also sent them. The Odisha government has reportedly recommended name of Dutee Chand for the Khel Ratna award.