Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane nominated for Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award

"We have received the recommendations from the BCCI. Their names will be sent to the awards selection committee," a sports ministry official told Cricbuzz.

The Indian team has been heavily dependent on Kohli lately, and the Delhi-born batsman carried the team almost single-handedly at the WorldT20, winning the player of the tournament award in the process.

Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, was not in the reckoning at the WorldT20 until the semi-final, but he has been massively successful in the other two formats of the game. He has enjoyed a successful run in the side, especially in Tests, in the past year or so.

Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni are the previous recipients of the Khel Ratna, which carries a cash reward of Rs 7.5 lacs. The Arjuna Award winners, on the other hand, are awarded Rs 5 lacs.