BCCI recommends Ravichandran Ashwin for Arjuna Award
Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 104 wickets in Tests, 106 in 79 ODIs and 25 wickets in the same number of T20 internationals.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who won the Polly Umrigar Trophy best player award in 2012-13 season, has been recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the prestigious Arjuna Award this year.
"Yes, Ashwin has been recommended for the Arjuna Award before the April 30 deadline. No other cricketer has been recommended (for the awards)," said Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI General Manager (Game Development).
A total of 46 cricketers, including women, have been conferred with the sporting honour. Last year, top-order batsman Virat Kohli received the award.
Ashwin became the fastest bowler in 80 years to complete 100 wickets in his 19th Test last November against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which was also Sachin Tendulkar's farewell Test.
The 27-year-old Chennai-born spinner overtook the previous Indian record of one of the members of the famed spin quartet - off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna - to reach the 100- wicket mark in one fewer Test.
Ashwin, who is also a useful batsman, has taken 104 wickets in Tests, 106 in 79 ODIs and 25 wickets in the same number of T20 internationals.