Mahendra Singh Dhoni nominated for Padma Bhushan

Mumbai, September 22: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has nominated veteran star and former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the Padma Bhushan, the nation's third highest civilian award. 

BCCI's acting president CK Khanna said that Yes, it's confirmed, we have recommended Dhoni's name for the Padma Bhushan. It was a unanimous decision by the members. He has been one of the greatest names in contemporary cricket and the most appropriate choice of the Indian cricket board.

After Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Chandu Borde, Lala Amarnath, Prof DB Deodhar, Col CK Nayudu, Raja Bhalindra Singh and Maharaja of Vizianagram, MS Dhoni could become the 11th cricketer to receive the award.

MS Dhoni made his international debut in 2004 against Bangladesh and has been one of India's most successful captains. He has led the team to victory in the 2007 World T20, the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.

Scoring 9742 runs in 303 ODIs he has 4876 runs in 90 Test matches. He has also played 78 T20 Internationals with 1212 runs. He has six centuries and 33 half-centuries in tests, 10 centuries and 66 half-centuries in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). During the series against Sri Lanka this month, he also became the first wicketkeeper to affect 100 ODI stumpings.