'He has come a long way' - Twitter gets flooded after Rohit Sharma wins Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award

Rohit Sharma, the limited over the vice-captain of India has been conferred with the greatest sports honour of the country, ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award’.

The opening batsman became the fourth cricketer to win the prestigious award after Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli. The Mumbai lad has a tremendous fan following due to his remarkable batting. The right-hander is the only batsman to score 3 triple centuries in One-day Internationals.

The other four of the five sports personalities to win the prestigious award this year include, Mariyappan T (Para-Athletics), Manika Batra (Table Tennis), Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling) and Rani Rampal (Hockey). All the award winners will receive prize money of INR 7.5 lakhs each.

The Mumbai Indians skipper became the first cricketer who has not captained India (apart from being a substitute for Kohli) to win the trophy. The 33-year-old is also the oldest cricketer to win the award as well. The most successful captain of Indian Premier League was nominated by BCCI in May 2020.

He was rewarded for his excellent performance in 2019. Notably, he became the first batsman to score five centuries in a World Cup when he scored 5 hundreds in the World Cup 2019. He is also the only batsman to score 4 T20I centuries.

This is how Twitter reacted to his latest achievement:

Congratulations @ImRo45 and also all the respected achivers ….Kudos to your hard work and dedication towards sports ….. making India' proud..⭐💛❤️🇮🇳 https://t.co/oMQU5apdOY

— sonali kamble (@KambleSona) August 21, 2020

Rohit Sharma is only the fourth Indian cricketer to win Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Haters Shaking

— ` (@FourOverthrows) August 21, 2020

Rohit Sharma to get Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 💙 This man deserves everything such an awesome talent…our hitman @ImRo45#RohitSharma fans are like pic.twitter.com/3Twte7e9M7

— Bella Ciao (Chai) (@punjabiii_munda) August 21, 2020

Just because past cricketers like Ganguly, Dravid and Yuvraj Singh didn't win Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award doesn't mean Rohit Sharma doesn't deserve it. You guys just need a reason to belittle him.

— ` (@FourOverthrows) August 21, 2020

From failures, struggles, criticisms and abuses
To successes, world records, honours and awards, @ImRo45 has come a long way! Now when I think of his journey, I feel emotional 🥺💙
Many Congratulations on the *Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna* Ro. More such to come in the future🧡

— Abhiramy🦋 (@rohitspullshot_) August 21, 2020

Our very own Hitman Rohit Sharma has been awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.🎖

He's the only 4th cricketer to get this award.

Congratulations Ro @ImRo45 👏👏👏👍
Well Deserved my main 💙
So proud of you #HITMAN 🙌🙌🙌

#RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/wJA2fcFXgb

— P a l l a v i (@pallzie) August 21, 2020

From one of the most trolled cricketers, and getting dropped from the team to winning Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award , this journey has been tough and amazing. Proud to be your fan legend Rohit Sharma. @ImRo45 .♥️

— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) August 21, 2020

Our own #Hitman @ImRo45 has been awarded the prestigious "Rajiv Gandhi Kel Ratna" Award🎉🏅

He is the 4th Indian cricketer to win Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award & First Player to Win This Award not in Captaincy for Indian Team 💙 #டீம்MI #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/CKW0W4PEhw

— Mumbai Indians TN FC™ (@MIFansClubTN) August 21, 2020

Rohit Sharma has been awarded Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

He is the only cricketer who is awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, being not a captain to Indian cricket team. Remaining Cricketers Have Awarded During Their Capitancy Period…!#RohitSharma #Hitman pic.twitter.com/c4j6Iuf2pu

— 🇮🇳 HITMAN ROCKY 🏏 (@HITMANROCKY45_) August 21, 2020

Rohit Sharma leaves for UAE

The second-ranked batsman on ICC ODI batting rankings will next be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. The ‘Mumbai Paltan’ will be looking to defend their title this season. They have been the most successful franchise with four titles under their belt.

Mumbai Indians is often known to have the most balanced squad and their team looks one of the best on paper, this year as well. The skipper reached UAE with his Indian teammates yesterday. He was captured on camera at the airport where he was ready to fly with his family. However, last time in 2014, when the IPL was moved to UAE for its initial part, the Mumbai Indians lost their all five matches. The franchise would definitely look to make their UAE record better this time.