Rediff
New Delhi, Aug 4: India's one-day and Twenty20 captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Monday chosen for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the country's highest honour for a sportsperson.
An expert committee, chaired by Milkha Singh, met on Monday to discuss the nominees and decided to confer the award on Dhoni for leading India to the Twenty20 World Cup triumph. It makes him only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to get the honour.
Sources in the Sports Ministry, however, informed that an official announcement will follow only after August 20.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty hailed the decision.
"On two occasions we felt let down, when Rahul Draviddidn't get Khel Ratna and Yuvraj (Singh) was denied the Arjuna.
"Dravid was in good form, we had won 16 ODIs on the trot and the team was on a high -- still he did not get the award.
"Yuvraj too was unlucky not to get Arjuna after two years of consistent performance. We are happy Dhoni got it," he told Times Now channel.
Shetty said what impressed him most about Dhoni was the way he conducted himself.
"What I like most about 'Mahi', apart from his cricket, is the way he leads. He is a cool customer and never gets agitated. I'm also impressed by his clarity of thought. He speaks his mind even if it may not be seen in the right sense," he added.
Comment on this article
Lancy Moras, Bajjodi, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Wed, Aug 06 2008I personally do not agree for Dhoni's great award. He does deserve for this but on the present situation where he is being too young and skipped test matches saying he is tired. Why he was not tired when he was chosen with 6 crores to play the IPL ? Was he not tired that time ? I still wonder Mr. Doni who earned a lot got Big Name in his little time of cricket career, whether he is playing for his country or for his self personal benifit ?
If Dhoni can clear my doubt I will be very much justified. To be frank, I am a fan of Dhoni and do not slur him. I too like the way he play the cricket. But I personally feel that by speaking against senior team players and then relegating them, Mr. Dhoni himself is the reason to have reduced in his importance. Getting Khel Ratna award right this moment is bit agonized fabric. Still hats off to you Dhoni. No hard feelings please. Lancy
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Santosh , Kulshekar
Wed, Aug 06 2008This will make him even more useless. He needs to prove himself first he is young and have talent but is a getting all the negaetive attention. Money making is not what this game of cricket is money is a just a means of lively hood but whom to complain now cricket is big money no game.
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Melwin Fernandes, Mangalore.
Tue, Aug 05 2008Congratulation Mr. Dhoni. Good Captaincy. Keep it up
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Kevin C.R. D'souza, MANGALORE / DUBAI
Tue, Aug 05 2008Cogratulations Mr.Dhoni, you deserve the Khel Ratna award. We are proud to have a Captain like you. All the very best to you for your future.
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Wilson D`Souza, Paladka
Tue, Aug 05 2008Mr. Dhoni, congratulations ... but why you skipped test series? I agree you are tired, but you could have skipped some matches of IPL and taken rest, so that you need not skip test matches for resting. In future, please don't do this as this will look odd when you receive prestigious national awards.
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Lancelot Norbert Tauro, Manglore - Doha qatar
Tue, Aug 05 2008Mr. Mahindra Dhoni was deserved to get Khel Ratna award for his excellent performance, Good Captaincy. Congratulations Mr. Dhoni, Whole India loves you.
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