THE BCCI has nominated wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni for the country's third highest civilian award - the Padma Bhushan, for his exceptional contribution to the sport.
A senior BCCI official confirmed 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. As reported by PTI, BCCI acting president CK Khanna said,
"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."
Dhoni is the only Indian skipper to have led India to victories in two world titles (2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup). The Ranchi-lad 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. Speaking about nominating Dhoni, Khanna further added,
"He is one of our greatest ODI cricketer with nearly 10,000 runs. Not many players have played 90 Test matches. There is no one better than him, who could have been nominated."