Jharkhand's Congress unit Monday demanded that the state government institute a sports award in the name of local boy Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led India to victory in the 2011 World Cup. "Dhoni has set a milestone in sports. In the past, Jharkhand has produced many international-level hockey players. To promote sports in the state, the Jharkhand government should start a sports award in Dhoni's name," party spokesperson Shailesh Sinha told IANS.

The Jharkhand unit of the Congress, which had announced that it will give a motorbike worth Rs.1 lakh to Dhoni for his achievement, on Sunday demanded the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, for the cricketer.

The Jharkhand government has said it will provide land to Dhoni to set up a cricket academy in the state.