New Delhi, Aug 27: The BCCI has decided to recommend the former India captain Rahul Dravid and opener Gautam Gambhir for the Padma Bhusan and Padma Shri awards respectively.

"Dravid and Gambhir's names were discussed earlier and president and secretary were to take a final call in this regard. The last date for filing nominations was August 15 and the names have been sent" a BCCI official reportedly told a news agency.

Dravid was also in reckoning for the Rajiv Khel Ratna,  but the only cricketer in the panel - Ravi Shastri - was not present during the meeting to push for the Banglorean's case. Shastri later said he did not get an invitation to the meeting.

Padma Bhusan is country's third highest civilian honour, after Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhusan. Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer to receive the second highest civilian honour  in Padma Vibhusan while nine cricketers including Sunil Gavaskar,  Kapil Dev, Vinoo Mankad and Lala Amarnath have received Padma Bhusan.