The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for Indian sports, with several athletes bringing laurels to the country, including India's T20 World Cup win and Manu Bhaker's double medal victory at the Paris Olympics. The Indian government has revealed the nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor.

Among the nominees are Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, who led the team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Para-athlete Praveen Kumar, who won a gold in the men's high jump T64 class at the Paris Paralympics, has also been recommended for the award.

However, controversy surrounds the absence of shooter Manu Bhaker from the Khel Ratna nominations, despite her double-medal achievement at the Paris Olympics. Reports suggest that Bhaker did not apply for the award, although her family claims she did.

Additionally, Congress MP Vijay Vasanth has urged the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, to confer the Khel Ratna Award to former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin recently announced his retirement from international cricket after the Brisbane Test.