MS Dhoni To CK Nayudu: 8 Indian Cricketers Who Have Army Ranks To Their Name

Last Updated: August 15, 2025, 17:20 IST

1 / 8 CK Nayudu: He was a trailblazer as India’s first Test captain, known for his powerful batting and leadership. He was arguably Indian cricket's first true superstar, with fans paying big money to catch his glimpse in small maidans. He was honoured with the rank of Colonel in the Holkar State’s army years before his international debut. Many still remember him as Colonel.

(BCCI)

2 / 8 Hemu Adhikari: A crisis-solver with the bat, brilliant fielder, and a respected senior, he played 21 Tests and later shaped India’s success as a coach and manager. A lot of future superstars credited him for their success. He also served in the Indian Army during WWII and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He's still the only Indian captain to have served in the Army.

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3 / 8 Venkatraman N. Swamy: A nippy fast-medium bowler who played one Test for India but was excellent on the domestic circuit.

He served the Indian Army from 1944, retiring as a Major.

(Ramadham Presents The Galaxy of Indian Cricketers)

4 / 8 Chandrasekhar Gadkari: An aggressive batsman and handy spinner for India in the 1950s, he balanced cricket with a military career, serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army.

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5 / 8 V. M. Muddiah: A leg-spinner who represented India in Test cricket during the late 1950s.

He served in the Indian Air Force, retiring with the rank of Wing Commander.

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6 / 8 Kapil Dev: Legendary all-rounder led India to its maiden World Cup win in 1983. Dev was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2008.

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7 / 8 Sachin Tendulkar: India's greatest-ever batter with the most runs in international cricket to his name to date. In 2010, he was awarded the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force.

(AFP)

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