Five Indian cricketers have received the prestigious Khel Ratna Award for their outstanding achievements, including World Cup triumphs, record runs, and exceptional leadership. Their contributions have elevated Indian cricket, showcasing excellence and inspiring future generations with their remarkable performances on the global stage.
5. Mithali Raj
Former India women’s team captain Mithali Raj received the prestigious Khel Ratna Award in 2021. Debuting internationally in 1999, she retired in 2022 as the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs, with 7805 runs. Her illustrious 23-year career also included 2364 T20I runs, solidifying her legacy as a cricketing icon.
4. Rohit Sharma
In 2020, Rohit Sharma received the Khel Ratna Award for his outstanding batting achievements. A standout moment in his career was the 2019 World Cup, where he scored 648 runs, including five centuries. Sharma’s consistent performances have cemented his place as one of India’s greatest-ever openers.
3. Virat Kohli
In 2018, Virat Kohli was honored with the Khel Ratna Award, presented by President Ramnath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Known for his incredible consistency, Kohli had become Team India’s run-machine, amassing close to 25,000 runs and 74 international centuries. In 2020, the ICC crowned him the Player of the Decade.
2. MS Dhoni
In 2007, MS Dhoni received the Khel Ratna Award after leading India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup, defeating Pakistan in the final. Unable to attend, his father, Paan Singh, accepted the award on his behalf. Dhoni later guided India to the No. 1 Test ranking in 2010 and ended a 28-year wait for an ODI World Cup title in 2011. Retiring in 2020, Dhoni remains one of India’s most iconic captains.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
In 1997/98, Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer to win the Khel Ratna Award, recognized for his stellar performances in international cricket. At 25, he was hailed as the world’s best batsman, shouldering India’s hopes. Tendulkar retired with over 34,000 runs, 100 international centuries, and remains the leading scorer in Tests and ODIs. In 2014, he became the first cricketer to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.