New Delhi: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and world champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu were Monday jointly recommended for ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna’ award, while star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was among 20 sportspersons picked for the Arjuna Awards.

Besides Chopra, other prominent names recommended for Arjuna Awards were junior world champion sprinter Hima Das and Asian Games gold-medallist middle distance runner Jinson Johnson, cricketer Smriti Mandhana, hockey players Manpreet Singh and Savita Punia, multiple CWG gold-medallist Manika Batra and Asian Games doubles gold-medallist Rohan Bopanna.

These recommendations are subject to approval by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Once ratified by him, President Ram Nath Kovind will present the awards on Sept.25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.