Dhoni to be conferred Khel Ratna

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was has been chosen for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, country's highest honour for a sportsperson.

India’s one-day and Twenty20 captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Monday chosen for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, country’s highest honour for a sportsperson.

An expert committee, chaired by Milkha Singh, on Monday met in New Delhi to discuss the nominees and they decided to confer the award on Dhoni for leading India to the Twenty20 World Cup triumph — making him only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to get the honour.

Sources in the Sports Ministry, however, informed that an official announcement would follow only after August 20.

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Meanwhile, BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty hailed the decision.

“On two occasions, we felt let down when Rahul Dravid didn’t get Khel Ratna and Yuvraj (Singh) was denied 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 a television news channel.

Shetty said what impressed him most about Dhoni was the way he conducted himself.

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“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.