The Board of Control for Cricket in India hasn't recommended anyone for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the country's highest honour for active sportspersons.
It, however, named dashing batsman Virat Kohli for the Arjuna and legendary opener and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar for the Dhyan Chand lifetime achievement awards.
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"BCCI hasn't sent any names for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award as it didn't find anyone who is fitting to get this award this year. There is absolutely no point in sending a recommendation just for the sake of it.
"The BCCI found out that Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar are the two deserving names for the Arjuna and Dronacharya award," a senior BCCI official said on Thursday.
Former India captain Rahul Dravid's name did the rounds last year for the Khel Ratna, but he did not get it. Many felt it was due to the absence of BCCI representative Ravi Shastri at the awards committee meeting.
However, Shastri later clarified that he did not receive a formal invite from the Sports Ministry to attend the meeting.
Last year, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and shooter Vijay Kumar were conferred the Khel Ratna because they won medals at the London Olympics.
Yogeshwar won a bronze medal in 60kg freestyle event while pistol shooter Vijay won silver in the 25m rapid fire event.
Dravid was conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, earlier this year.
Kohli, who has had a prolific run in all forms of the game in the last couple of years, missed out on the Arjuna nomination last year as Yuvraj Singh got the award on basis of seniority and his exploits in the 2011 World Cup.
Photograph: Harish Kotian/Rediff.com
