Kohli received many awards for his performance in the play, like ICC ODI Player of the year in 2012, BCCI’s worldwide cricketer of the year, In 2013, He was awarded Arjuna Award and now he is nominated for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award along with his co-player Ajinkya Rahane for Arjuna Award.
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Virat Kohli has already received Arjuna Award in 2013. Kohli was named the Player of the Tournament at the World T20. These nominations by BCCI have come after a gap of four years. The first two were Sachin Tendulkar (1997-1998) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2007). Dravid subsequently received the Padma Bhushan in 2013.
Rahane, also 27, has established himself as one of the key members of the Indian Test team, and played an integral part in the series win against South Africa with centuries in both innings of the final Test in New Delhi.
The victor of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, along with the citation, will receive a 7.5 lakh rupee as a prize money, while the Arjuna Award victor will get a citation and a prize of 5 lakh rupees. “Their names will be sent to the awards selection committee”, a sports ministry official was quoted as saying.
However, Kohli receiving the Khel Ratna is not assured, as there is tough competition for the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper from other nominated sportspersons.
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So many names are on the list like squash champion Deepika Pallikal, golfer Anirban Lahiri, Asian Games gold medallist shooter Jitu Rai and runner Tintu Luka nominated for this award.
