Former cricketer Suresh Raina has said that Virat Kohli's contribution to Indian cricket should pave way for the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country, days after the former India captain announced his retirement from Test cricket.
Only one Indian sportsperson has been honoured with the award, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, when he received it in 2014.
No Indian athlete since then has been conferred with the award and hence, Raina feels that Kohli should be next in line to receive the highest honour in the country.
바카라œVirat Kohli ne jitni upalabdhiyan haasil ki hain, Bharat aur bhartiya cricket ke liye unhone jo bhi kiya hai, uske liye unhe Bharat Ratna se sammanit kiya jaana chahiye. Bharat sarkar ko unhe Bharat Ratna award dena chahiye."
(The number of achievements Virat Kohli has accomplished, and whatever he has done for India and Indian cricket, for that he should be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. The Government of India should give him the Bharat Ratna award)," Raina said while speaking on Star Sports.
Speaking of IPL 2025, RCB's match against KKR was a washout but the fans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium showed their love towards Virat with a banner, 'Every single one of us loves you, Virat Kohli. Thank you for making Red Ball cricket exciting again'.
Ahead of the fixture, fans queued up outside the stadium, carrying placards and wearing Kohli's white jersey with the famed No.18 number at the back.
However, rain played spoilsport and the fans had to go home in disappointment. The retired Test star will now be seen in action against SRH on May 23 at home.
Farewell Match For Virat Kohli
Raina further added that Kohli deserves a farewell match in Delhi. "I also feel he should be given a retirement match in Delhi. His family and coach would have been there to support him. After doing so much for the country, you communicate with him because he deserves a retirement match."
Kohli had turned up to play a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi against Railways after a 13-year hiatus at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earlier this year.
