The Indian captain, Virat Kohli receives the fourth highest civilian award— Padma Shri from President Pranab Mukherjee on March 30. Kohli has had an undisputed season for his undisputed reign in Tests as Team India registered their seventh series win on the trot with India sitting pretty at No.1 of ICC Test team rankings. Kohli was ecstatic on receiving the award as he posted the video of the award ceremony on all social media platforms, be it Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Kohli was among the 8 sportspersons nominated for the award. The players who were nominated are Hockey skipper PR Sreejesh, Rio Olympics 2016 bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik, fourth-ranked Rio Olympics gymnast Dipa Karmakar. Paralympian Mariyappan Thangavelu alongside Deepa Malik, discus thrower Vijay Gowda and Indian Blind Cricket team World Cup-winning captain Shekhar Naik as well.
Kohli receiving this award is a big slap on Australian media’s face who have been after him all along the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which India won at Dharamsala by 2-1. Kohli also received Polly Umrigar Trophy from BCCI earlier this month for the third time in the history.
What an absolute honor and a memorable day to receive the Padma Shri award from the President of India. God’s been kind.
Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/zh3EUkrTFl— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017
Kohli suffered a shoulder injury on Day 1 of the Ranchi Test because of which he could not lead the side in the Test series decider against Australia. He will not be playing in the first two IPL matches for his team Royal Challengers Bangalore, including the IPL opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5.
Kohli recently received the Test mace from ICC as well as India retained the first spot on ICC Test Team Rankings before the cut-off date.
