BCCI recommends Kohli for Khel Rat, Rahane for Arju

New Delhi, May 3: Test skipper Virat Kohli and star batsman Ajinkya Rahane’s superlative performances were rewarded on Tuesday as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recommended the duo for this year’s prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Rat and Arju Award respectively.

“Yes, the BCCI has sent its recommendations ming Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Rat and Arju Award respectively to the Sports Ministry,” a BCCI source told IANS.

Kohli, who took over the reins of the Test side from Mahendra Singh Dhoni during last year’s Asutralia tour, has been in prolific form with the willow. He led India to an impressive series win in Sri Lanka and followed it up with a 3-0 win at home against South Africa, then the number one Test playing tion.

In 2016, Kohli stands at the peak of T20 cricket with over 1000 runs, becoming only the second Indian to do so after Suresh Rai achieved the distinction in 2012.

If Kohli is awarded the honour, he will become the third cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar (1997-98) and Dhoni (2007-08) to join the list of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Rat awardees.

Rahane, who has been nomited for the Arju award, has been India’s batting mainstay in overseas conditions. With a sound technique, the right-hander proved his worth with twin centuries in both the innings of the fourth and fil Test against South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.

The Khel Rat comes with a cash reward of Rs.7.5 lakh and a citation, while the Arju award comes with a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh and a citation. IANS