Reports: Virat Kohli to be awarded Padma Shri

Indian skipper across the three formats of the game Virat Kohli has had a great start to the year 2017. First, he was handed over the responsibility of the Indian team after MS Dhoni decided to step down as the captain of the limited-overs team. The Men in Blue won their first ODI series under Virat as full-time skipper against England and while they are preparing for the Twent20 series news reports suggest that the 28-year-old might as well be conferred the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cricket.

The official confirmation will only be made by today evening that is the eve of the Republic day when the awards are handed over to individuals at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President of India. Reports suggest that there are five sportspersons in the list of Padma Shri awardees for 2017. Along with Virat, Rio Olympics Bronze medalist, wrestler Sakshi Malik, Olympian, gymnast Dipa Karmakar, Olympian, discus thrower Vikas Gowda and Indian hockey team skipper PR Sreejesh.

Among individuals from other sectors singer, Kailash Kher, Hindi literature writer Narendra Kohli and journalist HR Shah are also expected to be honoured with the Padma Shri which is the fourth highest civilian honour in India after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.

The Delhi lad was presented with the Arjuna Award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India for his achievements as an Indian international cricket in 2013.

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That would make it double for the Indian team as former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was nominated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the Padma Bhushan and his name was just yesterday cleared by the central government for the award which will make him the 11th Indian cricketer to be honoured with the 3rd highest civilian award in the country. He was handed over the Padma Shri in 2007.