Rohit Sharma has more than one good news for him from off the field as he gears up to lead Mumbai Indians in quest of their fifth Indian Premier League crown.
Captain of the IPL defending champion team has been named for the most prestigious sports honour of the country – Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
On the day of the nominations for the national sports awards, leading eyewear brand Oakley also announced its association with the most prolific limited-overs cricketer. Rohit will be sporting Oakley eyewear, engineered with leading technologies that deliver unrivalled performance benefits, on and off the pitch.
As a long-time Oakley supporter, Rohit joins the strong circle of globally celebrated athletes living out their obsessions, and will be wearing the brand’s eyewear equipped with Oakley Prizm, a revolutionary lens technology, grounded in decades of research that has turned eyewear into vital sports equipment, the company has stated.
“I am delighted to be associated with Oakley, a brand I have always admired. As an athlete, I believe it is imperative that we use the correct eyewear with optimum protection and clear vision. Globally acclaimed for its innovative lens technologies, unparalleled optical clarity and unmatched stylish options, Oakley is my preferred eyewear on and off the field,” said Rohit Sharma.
Ben Goss, Oakley Global Brand Director added: “Rohit Sharma is a world-class performer, an inspiration for the younger generation and an icon who has made his mark with his sporting excellence. A true game-changer, Rohit champions passion, progression, and performance – values that represent Oakley, thus making him an ideal fit to represent and lead the brand dialogue. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to a successful association.”
Rohit Sharma had a phenomenal 2019 Cricket World Cup scoring 5 centuries to break the record for the most centuries in a single edition of the World Cup. He now has 6 centuries in two World Cups in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Rohit’s stupendous achievements in one day international and 20-20 cricket over the years have led to him fondly being referred to as one of the greatest white-ball batsmen of all time.
RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA
Rohit today (Tuesday) was also nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna along with wrestler Vinesh Phogat, table tennis player Manika Batra and 2016 Paralympic gold medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu.
The recommendations will now need the approval of the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
Rohit will expectedly become the fourth cricketer to be decorated with country’s most prestigious sports honour. Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli have been the other cricket legends to receive the Khel Ratna honours.