Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal expected to receive Padma Bhushan

According to reports, Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza and badminton ace Saina Nehwal are expected to receive the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian honour.

Sania Mirza had won the Khel Ratna as recently as last year, when she enjoyed a breakthrough season winning three grand slam titles with partner Martina Hingis, as well as being the first Indian woman to be ranked number one in the world in any form of tennis.

Mirza is currently playing in the Australian Open where she has reached the quarter-finals with Martina Hingis.

Similarly, Saina Nehwal too became the first Indian woman to be ranked number one in single's badminton after she won the India Open Super Series. Nehwal has previously been conferred the Arjuna Award (2009), Khel Ratna, and Padma Shri (2010).