Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin to be honoured with Arjuna Award

R Ashwin (L) set to receive the Arjuna Award this year

Following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s recommendation, Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the world number 1 Test all-rounder yesterday, is all set to be presented with the Arjuna Award this year in recognition of his noteworthy performances for India. The Arjuna awards are given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, to recognize distinguished performances in the field of sports.

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Making his Test debut for India, against West Indies, in 2011, the Tamil Nadu-born has been remarkably impressive with both bat and ball ever since in home conditions, while his overseas accomplishments haven’t been up to the mark. Apart from being the fastest Indian bowler to get to 100 Test wickets – in his 18th Test, surpassing stalwarts like Erapalli Prasanna and Anil Kumble, he has also notched up two Test centuries and averages 41 with the bat, giving hopes of filling the role of a genuine all-rounder in times to come.

While Virat Kohli was the winner last year, Indian cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar have been recipients of the prestigious award on different occasions.