The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recommended the names of Ravichandran Ashwin and Mithali Raj for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, ANI reported on Wednesday (June 30).

The report also suggests that KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Shikhar Dhawan's names will be proposed for the Arjuna Award.

"We had a detailed discussion and it was decided to send in the names of Ashwin and women's Test and ODI skipper Mithali's name for the Khel Ratna. We are recommending Dhawan again for the Arjuna while we will also suggest the names of Rahul and Bumrah," sources in the know of development told ANI.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has decided to extend the last date of submission of application for the National Sports Awards 2021. Earlier, the last date for submitting applications was June 21.

As per the official statement from the ministry, the nominations/applications from the eligible sportspersons/ coaches/ entities/ universities were invited for the award and they were to be e-mailed.

Veteran opener Rohit Sharma was among the 5 athletes who received the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award last year.

Apart from Rohit, only three Indian cricketers namely Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have been conferred with Khel Ratna award previously.

(With ANI inputs)