Indian cricket for the longest time possible has produced dozens and dozens of success stories. Some have mastered the art of bowling whilst a countless few have excelled in matters of the bat and thus, the mannerisms of run-scoring.
Yet, only a few cricketers from a certain lot have enjoyed one peculiar commonality; that of extending ceaseless love to the nation's armed forces. What's interesting here is to note that only a few of those have found the love back from the nation's first line of defence.
Their deeds and efforts in different aspects of the game have earned some of these great men a place among cricket's pantheon of true greats. But truth be told, their greatness has also been underlined by the fact that they have risen to a position of further prominence in the Indian civil society owing to the distinct honours they've been given by the armed forces of the country.
That being told, which are some of the leading lights of Indian cricket who have been honoured by the country's defence forces?
CK Nayudu
This isn't just a normal cricketing name, it is, quite frankly, a bastion of excellence where it comes to Indian Cricket on the whole
CK Nayudu, also known as Colonel Cottari Kanakaiya Nuyudu will always be remembered for having a rare distinction and that too, of being the first-ever Test captain of Team India.
Believe it or not, but here was a cricketer whose entire first-class career spanned, less it be forgotten, 47 years.
That is nearly five decades, on the whole.
Moreover, in the year 1923, when Mr. Nayudu was just 28-years-old, he earned, rather deservingly, a rare honour in his career.
He was appointed as the Colonel in the Holkar Army and this honour, was extended to him by the ruler of the revered Holkar state.
When team India first played a Test match, circa 1932, Colonel CK Nayudu was its captain, a moment to cherish.
Kapil Dev
There are capable all-rounders. There are great all rounders. And then there are some who exclusively belong to the league of extraordinary gentlemen, one of the names there being that of Kapil Dev.
The victorious member of the Indian Cricket team that lifted for the first time ever, a men's ODI world cup, Kapil Dev during his time in England led his country by an example.
He also scored, in a very critical contest against Zimbabwe in that series, a sublime knock of 175, and that's when the team was down in the dumps.
During the course of his whirlwind career, he collected 434 wickets, the highest at one point in time in Test match cricket.
For his great and prolonged services to Indian cricket, Kapil Dev was extended the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel, a decoration awarded to him in the year 2008. He was extended the rank belonging to the Indian Territorial Army.
Hemu Adhikari
Truth be told, one can, during the span of one's entire career, either play active cricket for the country thus serving one's nation or not play cricket and be in service elsewhere. It really isn't possible to be both a cricketer and someone of worthy service in the nation's armed forces.
However, there are rare exceptions everywhere in different streams or walks of life- aren't they?
And why go elsewhere other than noting the distinct career of a certain Hemu Adhikari.
He will always be remembered as a rare talent of sorts in that he actually joined the nation's military service during his days as an active membr of the Indian team.
As a matter of fact, so devoted and committed were he in his line of work in the Military service that Mr. Hemu Adhikari was actually promoted ot the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, a period of time wherein he continued to nurture cricketing minds and rising talents whilst still serving the country.
Later on in his life, during India's tour of England, circa 1971, Adhikari, served the team well after retiring as an active cricketer. He was, at that point in time, the team's manager and kept the unit together. And also served the country as its national coach.
Sachin Tendulkar
The world has produced several great batters but none better than that of Sachin Tendulkar, a cricketing icon and a batsman-par-excellence, the likes of which we are not going to see again.
The first and thus far, only man to hit 100 centuries in international cricket, Tendulkar was extended the honourary rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force.
This was a prestigious decoration that was given to the legendary right hander in the year 2010.
MS Dhoni
His love for agile wicketkeeping and for hitting towering sixes is commonly known to one and all.
And ditto for his love for the nation's Armed Forces, in particular, the Indian Army. Even when he announced his retirement from international cricketing duties, the time of his decision was expressed in the way that the armed forces adopt.
In the same year as that of Team India's ODI world cup triumph, circa 2011, MS Dhoni was extended the honourary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in India's Territorial Army.
The legendary Indian cricketer had, for the longest time, showng great interest towards and respect for the nation's soliders and those who serve the country on the frontlines. That love simply hasn't changed a bit even today.
