2024 saw no cricket player receiving the prestigious Khel Ratna or Arjuna Award—the highest honors in Indian sports. Cricket, being India’s most popular and successful sport, has always seen its players leading the charge for these awards. However, the absence of cricket stars from these awards this year raises several questions. Let’s explore the trends over the past decade, the possible reasons behind the 2024 decision, and who could be the future contenders for these prestigious honors.
A Glimpse at the Last 10 Years: Cricket’s Dominance in the Award Circuit
2014 – A Golden Period for Cricket
- Ravichandran Ashwin was the last cricketer to receive the Khel Ratna award in 2014 for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket, especially his exceptional performance as a match-winning bowler.
- Arjuna Awards during this time were given to cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Yuvraj Singh, all of whom made significant contributions to India’s success in various international tournaments.
2015-2017 – Cricket Thrived, but Other Sports Gained Momentum
- Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni led India in various formats, and their performances were remarkable. However, the rise of other sports like Badminton, Wrestling, and Athletics also gained attention, and athletes from these fields received recognition.
- PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal brought home medals in Badminton, while Neeraj Chopra and Vinesh Phogat gave India a significant presence in Athletics and Wrestling.
2018-2019 – Cricket’s Strong Performance Amidst Growing Competition
- MS Dhoni was awarded the Khel Ratna in 2019, recognizing his leadership and monumental achievements, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
- The focus on other sports like Badminton and Javelin Throw continued to grow, which saw Indian athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker being recognized for their accomplishments.
2020-2023 – The Rise of Other Sports and Cricket’s Continued Excellence
- Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant maintained high levels of performance, yet no cricket player received the Khel Ratna award.
- In these years, athletes from sports like Athletics, Shooting, and Chess earned international recognition, further shifting focus from cricket to other disciplines.
- Mohammad Shami was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2023 for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket.
Why No Cricket Player in 2024?
Several reasons could explain why no cricket player was selected for the Khel Ratna or Arjuna Award in 2024:
- Diversification of Sports in India: In recent years, sports like Badminton, Athletics, Shooting, and Hockey have witnessed remarkable performances from Indian athletes. Players like Manu Bhaker, D. Gukesh, and Harmanpreet Singh made historic achievements that caught national attention, shifting focus from cricket.
- High Expectations from Cricket: Cricket has a massive fanbase in India, and the expectations from players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant are very high. While their performances have been stellar, these achievements are often seen as expected. As a result, they may not have been considered extraordinary enough to win these awards in 2024.
- Breakthrough Performances in Other Sports: 2024 saw historic achievements by athletes like D. Gukesh, who won the World Chess Championship, Praveen Kumar, who won a Gold Medal in Para Athletics, and Harmanpreet Singh, who helped the Indian men’s hockey team secure a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. These accomplishments shifted the spotlight away from cricket and led to more recognition of athletes from other sports.
Future Cricket Awardees: Who Might Be Next?
While cricket players did not make the cut in 2024, several cricketers continue to deliver exceptional performances and could be in line for these prestigious awards in the coming years:
- Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli remains one of the best batsmen in the world. If he returns to his best form, he will undoubtedly be a top contender for the Khel Ratna or Arjuna Award in the near future.
- Rohit Sharma: Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, has been consistent across formats. His leadership, combined with his individual performances, makes him a strong contender for the Arjuna Award or even the Khel Ratna.
- Rishabh Pant: The young wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, has shown great promise in limited-overs cricket. With his fearless and dynamic batting style, he could be a strong candidate for these awards in the coming years.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young opening batsman, has shown excellent form in domestic cricket and the IPL. His consistent performance in the future could make him a future recipient of the Arjuna Award.
- Jasprit Bumrah: As India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah has been the backbone of the Indian bowling attack in all formats. His exceptional career and consistency may make him a strong candidate for these awards.
The absence of cricket players from the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards in 2024 highlights the growing recognition of sports beyond cricket in India. The achievements of athletes like Manu Bhaker, Neeraj Chopra, Harmanpreet Singh, and others have shifted the focus towards these sports. However, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yashasvi Jaiswal could be future contenders for these awards if they continue their exceptional performances. The changing dynamics in Indian sports make it clear that while cricket remains highly popular, other sports are now claiming their rightful place in the spotlight.
