Awards Committee recommends Virat Kohli, Mirabai Chanu for Khel Ratna

While Kohli has been the most consistent performer on the cricket field for India in the last few years, Mirabai Chanu was extremely dominant in her gold medal performance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in weightlifting. Based on the consistency of their performances, the duo has been recommended for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2018. It has also been reported that Kidambi Srikanth was in the running for the award but was just edged out by the weightlifter.

“Yes, his name (Kohli) has been recommended for the honor. He has represented the country with distinction and deserves to be rewarded for bringing pride and glory to the country,” Hindustan Times reported a source saying about Kohli, who has already won the Padma Shri award.

Apart from the duo, the likes of Neeraj Chopra, Jinson Johnson, and Hima Das has been recommended for the Arjuna Award for their contribution in track and field events. While Sikki Reddy and Rohan Bopanna have also made it to the list for their performances in badminton and tennis, Manika Batra and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran will join them for their table tennis exploits. Shooting boasts of the biggest contingent alongside athletics with Rahi Sarnobat, Ankur Mittal, and Shreyashi Singh making the cut on the list of recommendations.

Wrestling and Boxing see only one athlete apiece being represented with Sumit and Satish getting the nod. Ankur Dhama (Para athletics) and Manoj Sarkar (Para badminton) make the list as the two para athletes, while Smriti Mandhana comes in as the only cricketer. Shubankar Sharma (Golf), Manpreet Singh (Hockey), Savita (Hockey), Ravi Rathore (Polo), and Pooja Kadian (Wushu) complete the list that will be handed to the Sports Ministry for deliberation.