New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended the names of Indian spinner R. Ashwin and veteran women's cricketer Mithali Raj for the prestigious Khel Ratna Award. BCCI has also recommended Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah for the Arjuna Award.

BCCI told to ANI that 'We had a detailed discussion and decided to send Ashwin and women's Test and ODI captain Mithali for Khel Ratna. BCCI further said that 'We are once again recommending Dhawan for the Arjuna Award while we will also send suggestions on the names of Rahul and Bumrah'. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had earlier decided to extend the last date for submission of applications for the upcoming National Sports Awards 2021.

While the last date for submission of nominations was June 21. Last year, five Indian players were awarded the prestigious Khel Ratna. Manika Batra, Rohit Sharma, Vinesh Phogat, Rani Rampal and Mariyappan Fangavelu were awarded the Khel Ratna last year. It was the first time in the history of Indian Sports that five Indian athletes were awarded the Khel Ratna in a single year.

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