New Delhi: The Indian cricket board has nominated Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the country’s third highest civilian award – the Padma Bhushan – for his contribution to the game.
A senior BCCI official confirmed Wednesday that the board has only sent one name for the Padma awards this year and it was a unanimous decision to nominate India’s most successful captain.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been nominated by the BCCI for the Padma Bhushan award. It was a unanimous decision by the members. He has been one of the greatest names in contemporary cricket and the most appropriate choice of the Indian cricket board,” BCCI acting president CK Khanna told this agency.
Dhoni’s credentials are impeccable and as the only Indian captain with two World titles (2011 50-over World Cup and 2007 World T20), the BCCI did not have to ponder over likely names.
Dhoni is already a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna, Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri award.
If Dhoni is conferred with Padma Bhushan, he will become the 11th Indian cricketer to get the third highest civilian honour.
Some of the notable international cricketers, who have been the recipients of Padma Bhushan award are Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Chandu Borde, Prof DB Deodhar, Col CK Nayudu, and Lala Amarnath.
The lesser known names include Raja Bhalindra Singh of Patiala, who played 13 first-class matches, and Vijaya Anand – the Maharaja of Vizianagram, who was India’s captain during their 1936 tour to England.
Press Trust of India