Khel Ratna 2020: Rohit Sharma Promises To Bring More Laurels To Country, Thanks BCCI And Sports Ministry

Rohit Sharma was in the form of his life in 2019 as he scored a record five tons in the 2019 World Cup edition and was also the highest-run score for team India.

Photo Courtesy: @BCCI (Twitter)

Indian cricket team's star opener Rohit Sharma is among the five other sports personalities who will receive the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India's top sporting honor, which is given to an athlete for his, or her, spectacular performance for the nation at the highest level over a period of four years. ALSO WATCH | 'Virtual Hug To All': Rohit Sharma Thanks Fans, Fellow Cricketers On Being Conferred With Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

Rohit Sharma, the only cricketer to be nominated for the Khel Ratna for 2020, is the fourth Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar to be conferred with the award.

Virat Kohli-led team India was one of the favorites to win the 2019 ICC World Cup, that took place in England. However, the Men in Blue got knocked out in the semi-finals against New Zealand. Limited-overs skipper Rohit Sharma had a bad day as he managed to score just a single run in that game.

Apart from that single bad game, Rohit Sharma was in the form of his life in 2019 as he scored a record five tons in the 2019 World Cup edition and was also the highest-run score for team India. The Mumbai Indians skipper had amassed 1490 runs averaging 57.30 in One-Day-Internationals, last year.

In a video released by BCCI on its official twitter handle, Rohit Sharma on Thursday said," It feels great to be receiving the highest sporting honour. I am so happy and privileged to receive this award. I would like to thank the Sports Ministry and the BCCI for acknowledging and recommending my name. I promise to keep working hard and bring more laurels to my country."

I am very happy and feel privileged to receive this honour. I promise to keep working hard. Fans are my support system & I am sure they will keep backing us: @ImRo45 on his Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour. pic.twitter.com/30d6vb6WMz

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 27, 2020

"It's a wonderful group to be part of (Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli). All these names mentioned, they have done wonders and brought so much joy to our country. To be joining the list, it's a great honour. I am very happy.

"To be recognised anything to do you for the country is a big motivating factor. I will always try to bring happiness and joy for our country. To the fans, my support system, and to my family, thank you very much, keep supporting me," he added.

Apart from Rohit, cricketer Deepti Sharma, para-athlete Mariappan Thangavelu, table tennis champion Manika Batra, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and hockey player Rani will receive Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.