New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on Thursday, was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in the country for distinguished service of high order in the sporting arena.

However, the former India captain, who led the nation to titles triumphs in the 2007 World T20 and the 2011 World Cup, is not the only sportsperson to receive the prestigious award this year.

Pankaj Advani, the undisputed king of billiards and snooker having bagged the world title 18 times, has also been conferred with the Padma Bhushan. Dhoni and Advani are the two sportspersons among the dozen recipients of Padma Bhushan this year.

Four sportspersons have been chosen for the Padma Shri award. While weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won the World Championship gold medal last year, and shuttler Kidambi Srikanth are current sportspersons, former Asian Games and Commonwealth Games tennis gold medallist Somdev Dev Varman and former Paralympian Murlikant Petkar have also been awarded the Padma Shri.

The awards will be conferred by the President of India in March or April. Dhoni and Advani had received the Padma Shri award earlier .