India's head coach Ravi Shastri congratulated limited-overs vice-captain and opener, Rohit Sharma, as he is due to be conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award on August 29.
The prodigiously talented right-hand batsman, who has played 32 Tests, 224 ODIs, 108 T20Is and scored nearly 13,000 international runs in his career so far, will become just the fourth Indian cricketer to receive the country's highest sporting honour.
Before him, legendary Sachin Tendulkar, former skipper MS Dhoni and contemporary captain Virat Kohli were given the Khel Ratna.
Shastri in his congratulatory tweet also included Rohit's teammate, experienced pacer Ishant Sharma, who has been picked to get the Arjuna award.
"Congratulations! The SHARMAAAAAS - Well done Ro for Khel Ratna and Ishi for Arjuna," wrote Shastri.
Having played a lot his international career with him, former left-hand batsman Suresh Raina heaped praise on Rohit.
"Congratulations brother @ImRo45, you truly deserve this. You have made India proud so many times. Here's to many more milestones!" Raina tweeted.
Fellow Mumbaikar, Ajinkya Rahane, whose journey progressing at the domestic and international level, has coincided with Rohit's, also lavished praise on the man via a tweet.
"Congratulations to @ImRo45 on being conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards. @ImIshant and @Deepti_Sharma06 for the prestigious Arjuna awards Very well deserved!" wrote Rahane.
Mariyappan T. (Para-Athletics), Manika Batra (Table Tennis), Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling) and Rani Rampal (Hockey) will be other recipients of the Khel Ratna apart from Rohit, while women all-rounder Deepti Sharma will be handed out the Arjuna award alongside Ishant.
