5 Cricketers In Indian Army: In the wake of the Indian Army's decisive and strategic counterterrorism response 'Operation Sindoor' India's sports establishment has come out to salute the armed forces for their bold and measured response to the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 tourists lost their lives.

From cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and World Cup heroes Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Chetan Sharma to Olympic and Paralympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, and Devendra Jhajharia; from cricket stars Shikhar Dhawan, Pragyan Ojha, Jhulan Goswami and Varun Chakravarthy; to wrestlers, boxers and other athletes, the Indian sports community have risen in unison to support 'Operation Sindoor'.

Interestingly, some Cricketers have also served in the Indian Army in the past. Check out the list here

5. CK Nayudu

Probably one of the architects of the Indian cricket team even before the country's independence, India's first test skipper Colonel CK Nayudu led the side 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. Nayudu was bestowed with the rank of a 'captain' and later a 'Colonel' in the state's army.

3. Hemu Adhikari

Indian Cricketer Hemu Adhikari Represented the side in 21 Tests between 1947-1959. Due to his services in the second World War, Adhikari's test debut was delayed. Adhikari retired from his military career as Lieutenant Colonel. 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.

3. Kapil Dev (Lieutenant Colonel)

India's maiden Cricket World Cup winning captain, Kapil Dev joined the territorial army in the year 2008. Later, he was promoted to the position of Lieutenant Colonel.

2. Sachin Tendulkar

In the year 2010, Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar was honoured with the rank of a group captain by the Indian Air Force, making him the first Indian to get this honour despite having any no aviation background.

1. MS Dhoni

The most successful captain of the Indian Cricket Team (by trophies), MS Dhoni was honoured with the position of Lieutenant Colonel by the Indian Territorial Army in 2011.