Rahul Dravid receives Padma Bhushan

Retired Indian batsman Rahul Dravid has received his Padma Bhushan award from the President today.

The batting great had already been named for the award, India’s third highest civilian honour, back in January, along with 24 others.

Dravid retired from International cricket last year as one of India’s greatest batsman of all times, scoring 10,889 runs in ODIs and 13,288 runs in Tests.

He was one of two sports persons shortlisted for the honour, with Olympic bronze medal winning boxer Mary Kom being the other.

Dravid has also received the Arjuna award, back in 1998, and the Padma Shri, back in 2004.

Nine other cricketers have won the Padma Bhushan, including Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar. Sachin Tendulkar remains the only cricketer ever to have received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour.