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Kargil Vijay Diwas | Top 5 Cricketers Who Served Indian Armed Forces

image-lkjpr8vqMS Dhoni signs a bat for an Indian Armed Force member [Twitter]

Over the course of the last century, several Indian cricketers have received the honour of being bestowed with respectable positions in the Indian Army.

On the 24th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, here's a look at 5 such cricketers:


Hemu Adhikari

Former spin-bowling all-rounder Hemu Adhikari represented the national team in 21 Tests between 1947-1959.

His Test debut was delayed due to the Second World War, during which he served in the Indian Army. Adhikari retired from his military career as Lieutenant Colonel.

image-lkjowyjbHemu Adhikari [Twitter]

Regarding his Test career, Adhikari scored 872 runs at 31.14 apiece besides taking 3 wickets. His FC stats read: 8683 runs at an average of 41.74 & 49 wickets at 37.93.

Adhikari also served as the Indian head coach in the early 1970s and was one of the masterminds behind the country's maiden Test series win in England during the summer of 1971.


C.K Nayudu (Colonel)

image-lkjoyb49CK Nayudu [Image- Twitter]

Considered as the cricketing nations' first superstar, India's maiden Test skipper, CK Nayudu led the national team in the first four out of their 7 Tests between 1932-36.

In 7 Tests, he scored 350 runs at an average 25 in addition to taking 9 wickets with his handy off-spin.

But, before his international career, Nayudu was invited by the ruler of the Holkar state in Indore where he was first bestowed with the rank of a 'captain' and later a 'Colonel' in the state's army.


Kapil Dev (Lieutenant Colonel)

India's greatest all-rounder to date, and the 1983 World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil Dev joined the territorial army in the year 2008.

Later, he was bestowed with the position of Lieutenant Colonel.



Sachin Tendulkar (Group Captain)

image-lkjpmxbjGroup Captain Sachin Tendulkar [Twitter]

The greatest-ever batter to play this beautiful sport, Sachin Tendulkar has been bestowed with numerous honours in different sectors for his immortal contribution towards the nation during the course of his 24-year career.

In 2010, the Master Blaster was honoured with the rank of a group captain by the Indian Air Force, making him the first Indian to be bestowed with such an honour despite not having any aviation background.


MS Dhoni (Lieutenant Colonel)

image-lkjp2p3kMS Dhoni [Image- Twitter]

Former Indian skipper and the only captain to win each of the three ICC limited-overs trophies, MS Dhoni's love for the Indian army is well known.

Dhoni was honoured with the position of Lieutenant Colonel by the Indian Territorial Army in 2011.

The former keeper-batter was also posted for a few weeks in Jammu Kashmir in 2019.