Dravid, Sushil Kumar in race for Padma Bhushan

Bangalore: Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid and 2012 London Olympics’ silver medalist sushil Kumar have been recommended by the Indian Sports Ministry for Padma Bhushan award, country’s third highest honour.

Rahul Dravid retired from international cricket in March 2012 after a 16-year long and illustrious career. Dravid finished as country’s second highest run getter in Test cricket with 13288 runs from 164 Tests, inclusive of 36 centuries. The Bangalorean also holds the world record for most number of catches (210) by a non wicket-keeper in the longest format of the game.

Sushil Kumar, on the other hand, did India proud with a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics in 66kg weight category, his second medal after a bronze finish at the Beijing Olympics.

Kumar has previously been awarded with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, country’s highest sporting honour, in 2009, while the Indian cricket’s former captain missed out on it last year due to India’s Olympic medalists.

The misitry has also recommended Vijay Kumar (shooting), Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling), HN Girisha (para sports), Gautam Gambhir (cricket), Dingko Singh (boxing), Alok Kumar (cue sports) for the Padma Shri award.