No cricketer in National Sports Awards shortlist; Hardik Singh lone Khel Ratna pick

India men’s hockey team vice-captain Hardik Singh was the only athlete recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna this year.

While teenage chess star Divya Deshmukh and decathlete Tejaswin Shankar figured among the 24 names cleared for the Arjuna Awards, sources said after a selection committee meeting here on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Hardik has been a key cog in India’s midfield and was part of the team’s bronze medal-winning campaigns at the 2021 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. He also featured in India’s Asia Cup gold-winning squad earlier this year.

In a first, Yogasan athlete Aarti Pal has been recommended for the Arjuna Award, five years after the discipline received formal recognition from the Sports Ministry. Aarti is the current national and Asian champion, and Yogasan will be a demonstration sport at the 2026 Asian Games, a well-placed source told PTI.

The selection panel, which includes Indian Olympic Association vice-president Gagan Narang, former badminton player Aparna Popat and former hockey player M M Somaya, finalised the Arjuna Award recommendations at the meeting.

At 19, Divya Deshmukh became the first Indian woman to win the Chess World Cup and has been recommended alongside fellow chess player Vidit Gujrathi. Tejaswin Shankar earned his place following a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games and a runner-up finish at the Asian Championships earlier this year.

Among the other prominent Arjuna Award recommendations are rifle shooter Mehuli Ghosh, a two-time World Championship bronze medallist; gymnast Pranati Nayak; and India’s top women’s doubles badminton pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand. Gayatri is the daughter of national coach and former All England champion Pullela Gopichand.

The list does not feature any cricketer. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami was the last cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award, in 2023.

The Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, carries a cash award of Rs 25 lakh, while Arjuna awardees receive Rs 15 lakh. Last year, the Khel Ratna was conferred on D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar and Manu Bhaker.