Yuvraj Singh gets Padma Shri award

Yuvraj Singh receives the Padma Shri Award. Photo Courtesy: Yuvraj Singh’s Twitter account

Yuvraj Singh, who was among the seven sportspersons chosen for this year’s Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian honour in India, as announced on Jan 25, 2014, was given the award by the Home Secretary of the Indian government.

The all-rounder, who was the Man of the Tournament in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and one of the top performers at the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, both won by India, was also conferred with the Arjuna Award, India's second highest sporting award, in the year 2012. He is also famous for his attacking batting, and one of his most memorable performances came in a match against England in the 2007 World Twenty20, when he famously hit six sixes in one over bowled by Stuart Broad — a feat performed only three times previously in any form of senior cricket, and never in an international match between two Test playing cricket teams.

Dipika Pallikal, former Indian women’s cricket captain Anjum Chopra, Sunil Dabas (Kabaddi), Love Raj Singh Dharmshaktu (Mountaineering), H. Boniface Prabhu (Wheelchair Tennis) and Mamta Sodha (Mountaineering) were the other sports persons, selected for this year’s Padma Shri awards.

The names were shortlisted by a committee headed by the home secretary from recommendations sent by state governments and important personalities. The India’s highest civilian honours are given in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri — and they are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year and are conferred by the President of India.