Sehwag and Achrekar awarded Padma Shri

India opener Virender Sehwag and renowned coach Ramakant Achrekar have been conferred the Padma Shri. The civilian awards, given for distinguished service in any field and announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year, also included four other India sportspersons this year.

Sehwag, 31, boasts of more than 13,000 international runs and is the only triple centurion for India in Tests, a landmark he achieved twice. He also received the Arjuna Award in 2002. Team-mate Sachin Tendulkar praised Sehwag for his immense contribution in the improved performance of the team over the last 10 years.

"Sehwag has made a terrific impact to the next generation and he truly deserves to be conferred the Padma Shri," Tendulkar said. "To be honoured with Padma Shri is a terrific achievement. I think his achievements have been appreciated (by the government). He's a wonderful player to have in the team and has been a consistent performer for the past 10 years."

The 78-year-old Achrekar has also significantly contributed to the game - his academy in the Shivaji Park area in Mumbai, has churned out several players who went on to don national colours including Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Praveen Amre, Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar.

The awards will be presented by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi in March-April.