MS Dhoni recommended for Padma Bhushan, Virat Kohli Padma Shri as Team India Struggles in England
In recognition of their efforts in cricket, India captain MS Dhoni and vice-captain Virat Kohli have been recommended for honours by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The Indian Cricket Board has recommended captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's name for the prestigious Padma Bhushan and batting mainstay Virat Kohli for the Padma Shri. Indian women's cricket team skipper Mithali Raj has also been nominated for Padma Shri.
"Yes, the Board has recommended their names for these honour - Padma Bhushan for Dhoni and Padma Shree for Kohli and Mithali Raj," a BCCI source told PTI. The news comes at a time when the Dhoni-led Indian cricket team is going through a tough time in England, trailing 1-2 after two back-to-back demoralising defeats in the five-match Test series.
Dhoni, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009, will become the 10th cricketer to receive the honour - the third highest in the country - if the BCCI's recommendation is accepted by the government of India. Under Dhoni, India have won two limited overs World Cups, including the ODI one at home in 2011.
Last year, India beat England in the final of Champions Trophy to clinch the title. As far as out-of-form Kohli is concerned, the aggressive batsman has performed well in all formats of the game until the England tour. The 25-year-old Delhi lad has already amassed 5634 runs in 134 ODIs, emerging as India's mainstay in the recent past. He has already racked up 25 international centuries.