Team India batsman Virat Kohli was conferred with the Arjuna Award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday.
Virat was one of the 14 sportsmen in India who received the award. The Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees got statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh each.
Virat said it was a "surreal experience" to be presented with the Arjuna Award.
The batsman tweeted, "Can’t describe the feeling while getting the Arjuna Award. Surreal experience. Big honour. #happy #proud".
The 24-year-old has made a rapid rise in international cricket since making debut for India in 2008. In five years he has become one of the most prolific batsmen in the team.
He also led India during the Zimbabwe ODI series and took them to a historic 5-0 triumph. The Delhi boy had also captained India to Under-19 World Cup glory.
Virat has already made 1175 runs in 18 Tests at an average of 41.96, including four hundreds and six fifties.
His ODI record is as good as Test, having scored 4575 runs in 113 matches at an average of 49.72. He has 15 hundreds and 24 half-centuries in this format.
