5 Indian Cricketers Who Have Received The Khel Ratna Award

Soumyajit Dutta∙ Updated: Dec 24 2024, 5:50 PM

Virat Kohli is one of the Indian cricketers to get awarded by Khel Ratna [Source: @ICC/X.com]Virat Kohli is one of the Indian cricketers to get awarded by Khel Ratna [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Sports have always been a household affair for Indians. However, amongst all, the most enticing of them is cricket. The sport that involves playing with a bat and the ball has clouded fans with its charm and the players too have added to its rising popularity.

Reflecting this national obsession, the Khel Ratna Award stands as the pinnacle of sporting achievement and is bestowed to them who have left their marks in the history of sports in India. Some of the country's most celebrated athletes, including the renowned women cricketer Mithali Raj, have been honoured with this award.

The Khel Ratna Award, officially known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and previously known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. With the "God of Cricket" being one of the award's distinguished recipients, here's a quick look at the list of players who have received the Khel Ratna Award.

Player
Year
Sachin Tendulkar1997-98
MS Dhoni
2007
Virat Kohli
2018
Rohit Sharma2020
Mithali Raj2021


Sachin Tendulkar (1997-98)

Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Sachin Tendulkar aka the 'Master Blaster' needs no introduction as whenever you think of India and cricket, the name comes up in your mind simultaneously. Notably, he was the first recipient to get awarded the Khel Ratna Award as he presented his glorious cricketing career to the world. Tendulkar also became the first cricketer to bag 100 international centuries with 51 tons in Test cricket and 49 in ODIs.

MS Dhoni (2007)

MS Dhoni []Source: @KKRiders/X.com[MS Dhoni []Source: @KKRiders/X.com[

The living legend MS Dhoni who started his international career with a horrible run out has come out to be one of India's most successful captains. 'Captain Cool' led India to victory in all three major ICC trophies. The 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy are all under his belt. The wicketkeeper-batter was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2007 after he made India proud by winning the ICC title.

Virat Kohli (2018)

Virat Kohli [Source: @CricketTak12/X.com]Virat Kohli [Source: @CricketTak12/X.com]

Widely regarded as a 'modern-day great,' 'King' Kohli has not been in his spectacular form recently. However, that doesn't undermine his stature in the legacy he has established for himself. The ex-RCB skipper has 30 Test centuries and 50 ODI centuries in his bag as he looks forward to adding to the tally in the upcoming tournaments. He was awarded the Khel Ratna Award in the year 2018.

Rohit Sharma (2020)

Rohit Sharma [Source: @IamRitika45/X.com]Rohit Sharma [Source: @IamRitika45/X.com]

'Mumbai cha Raja' Rohit Sharma recently guided India home by winning the ICC T20 World Cup title in June 2024. Notably, Sharma also led India to victory in the 2018 and 2023 Asia Cups, with India achieving the title for the eighth time. Speaking of his batting skills, the 'Hitman' is the only player to score three double hundreds in ODI cricket and has 12 Test centuries and 31 ODI centuries under his belt. Sharma was given the Khel Ratna Award in the year 2020.

Mithali Raj (2021)

Mithali Raj [Source: @SunRisers/X.com]Mithali Raj [Source: @SunRisers/X.com]

Mithali Raj aka 'Lady Tendulkar' is a name synonymous with Indian women's cricket. The star women cricketer has been instrumental in shaping and inspiring women cricketers from India. She has four half-centuries in Tests with a massive 64 centuries in ODIs. She was presented with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by President Ram Nath Kovind in the year 2021.