Virat Kohli to be honoured with Bharat Ratna award? Report drops bombshell

It was the former Indian all-rounder, Suresh Raina, who wanted Virat Kohli to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna award. He made the point during a commentary stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he stated that a player of Kohli’s stature would deserve the highest possible recognition for his contribution to Indian cricket, as he recently called time on his Test career. 

Kohli has already hung up his boots from the longest format of the game. The right-handed batter finished his red-ball career as the fourth leading run-getter of the Indian side for 9230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85 and a strike rate of 55.57, thanks to 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 254 runs. In his absence, Shubman Gill has become the new Test captain. 

See Also: 'Virat is..'- Saiyaara movie director reveals reason to use Virat Kohli's name in movie scenes

The recent reports have dropped a bombshell on the Delhi batter, potentially getting the award in the future. It’s the highest civilian honour of the country. Instituting the Bharat Ratna on Virat would recognize the exceptional performances of the veteran, along with his achievements in the field of sports. His sportsmanship and dedication, as a role model for millions, have created his different personality.

Virat Kohli to be honored with Bharat Ratna award- Reports

It will be a befitting tribute to the illustrious career of the batter for his invaluable service to the nation. If he does get that, Kohli will be the second cricketer, only after Sachin Tendulkar, to be honored with India’s highest civilian award. He received the award in 2014, becoming the youngest person and the first sportsperson to receive the recognition.

The Delhi-born, who has already retired from the shortest format after winning the country’s second T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and later from the longest format just before the ongoing five-match Test series in England, is the third leading run-getter across the three formats.

Kohli has smashed 27599 runs in 617 international innings at an average of 52.27 and a strike rate of nearly 80, thanks to 82 centuries and 143 half-centuries at the best score of 254*. He is around one thousand runs away from overtaking Kumar Sangakkara to be second in the list.