Hitman Joins the Elite list; Becomes the fourth Indian Cricketer to Receive Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

Last updated Aug 21, 2020

The Indian opener and limited overs vice-captain, Rohit Sharma will be awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has congratulated Rohit on Friday for becoming the fourth Indian batsman to achieve the prestigious award.

Congratulations @ImRo45 for being conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, 2020, India’s highest sporting honour. He is only the fourth Indian cricketer to receive this award.

We are proud of you, Hitman! pic.twitter.com/ErHJtBQoj9
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 21, 2020

Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and the Indian Skipper Virat Kohli was previously awarded with the same in the year 1998,2007 and 2018 respectively. Now Rohit also joins the list.

Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni during the 2019 World Cup

From January 2016 to December 2019, the Indian opener scored 20 centuries, which is the most number of centuries by an Indian within this period of time. He has the most T20 runs of 1766, also scored his third ODI double century.

Rohit also maximized his number of sixes with 263 sixes and also a record five world cup centuries. These where the achievements that made him eligible for the award.

Other that Rohit, Manika Batra (Woman Paddler), Mariappan Thangavelu (Rio Paralympic gold-winning high jumper), women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal and Vinesh Phogat (Wrestler) will also receive the award.

A committee on Tuesday, at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters in New Delhi has recommended these five names.