Beyond Team India: Dhoni, Sachin, Siraj among cricketers with police, defence ranks

Kapil’s commission

Long before honorary military ranks became associated with modern cricket stars, Kapil Dev added another uniform to his legacy. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain was commissioned as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2008, linking one of Indian cricket’s biggest names with the armed forces.

Sachin’s wings

Sachin Tendulkar’s second uniform was not Army green but Air Force blue. In 2010, the President approved the honorary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force for the batting legend, recognising achievements that had already made him one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures.

Dhoni’s regiment

MS Dhoni’s connection with the Army went beyond a ceremonial photograph. The former India captain was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2011 and became associated with the 106 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army), Parachute Regiment.

Harbhajan’s refusal

Harbhajan Singh’s name frequently appears among cricketers who became police officers, but there is a twist. Punjab offered him a DSP position after his sensational 2001 performances against Australia, yet Harbhajan later clarified that he never actually joined the Punjab Police.

Siraj’s badge

Mohammed Siraj returned from India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph with more than a winner’s medal. The Hyderabad-born fast bowler took charge as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Telangana in October 2024, formally reporting to the state police leadership to begin his new role.

Joginder’s switch

In September 2007, Joginder Sharma delivered the final over that helped India beat Pakistan and lift the inaugural T20 World Cup. Within weeks, another chapter opened: the Haryana government appointed the fast bowler as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and he joined the force that October.

Bishnoi’s posting

Ravi Bishnoi’s leg spin has earned him an India jersey, but 2026 brought another distinction. The Rajasthan government selected the young cricketer for appointment as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, putting him among a small group of Indian players to receive official police positions.

Bihar’s pacers

Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar share more than the experience of bowling for India. In July 2026, the Bihar government appointed both fast bowlers as Deputy Superintendents of Police under its sports policy, giving the two pacers another official title away from the cricket field.

Harmanpreet’s badge

Harmanpreet Kaur’s unforgettable 171 against Australia at the 2017 Women’s World Cup helped transform her public profile. Months later came another distinction: Punjab appointed the India star as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in 2018, adding an official police rank to her cricketing career.

Deepti’s uniform

Deepti Sharma received a very different uniform alongside her India colours. Uttar Pradesh appointed the all-rounder as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in January 2025 and presented her with the police uniform, with the recognition also accompanied by a ₹3 crore reward for her sporting achievements.