'Virat Kohli deserves Bharat Ratna': Star cricketer's explosive statement sparks debate

NEW DELHI: In the history of Indian sports, only one sportsperson has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna — and that is Sachin Tendulkar. The legendary batter was recommended for the award by the central government in February 2014, and then-President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the honour upon him. No athlete before or since has received this prestigious civilian award.However, former India cricketer Suresh Raina has now called for Virat Kohli to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna, recognising his immense contributions to Indian cricket."Virat Kohli ne jitni upalabdhiyan haasil ki hain, Bharat aur Bharatiya cricket ke liye unhone jo bhi kiya hai, uske liye unhein Bharat Ratna se sammaanit kiya jana chahiye. Bharat sarkar ko unhein 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 during a show on Star Sports.Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, putting an end to the speculation around his future in the longest format.The 36-year-old featured in 123 Test matches for India, scoring 9230 runs, including 30 centuries, at an average of 46.85. He will now only play in ODIs, having stepped away from T20 Internationals last year."As I step away from this format, it's not easy - but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for," Kohli shared on his Instagram page."I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude - for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way," he added.His exit marks another major retirement in Indian Test cricket, following Ravichandran Ashwin (in December) and Rohit Sharma (last week), who also bid farewell to the format.