Cricket in India is not just a sport — it is a national institution.
Players who represent the country at the highest level often earn recognition that extends well beyond boundary ropes and trophies.
Several indian cricketers who have government job positions hold these roles as a direct reflection of the respect the nation has for their sporting contributions.
Some appointments come through sports quota, others through honorary recognition from the defence and police departments.
The combination of sporting excellence and public service creates a unique dual legacy.
Indian Cricketers Who Have Government Job
This article covers the complete list, salary structure, and individual profiles of every major Indian cricketer holding a government position.
Top 10 Cricketers with Govt Jobs
Government appointments for cricketers in India span multiple departments. These include the Army, Air Force, Police, Income Tax, and the Reserve Bank of India.
Most appointments are performance-based or honorary, reflecting India’s institutional recognition of sporting achievement at the national and international level.
| Cricketer | Government Role | Department | State/Organisation | Year Appointed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | Lieutenant Colonel | Indian Territorial Army | Central Government | 2011 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Group Captain | Indian Air Force | Central Government | 2010 |
| KL Rahul | Assistant Manager | Reserve Bank of India | Central Government | 2014 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Income Tax Officer | Income Tax Department | Haryana | 2016 |
| Mohammed Siraj | Deputy Superintendent of Police | Telangana Police | Telangana | 2024 |
| Joginder Sharma | Deputy Superintendent of Police | Haryana Police | Haryana | Post-retirement |
| Kapil Dev | Lieutenant Colonel | Indian Territorial Army | Central Government | 2008 |
| Umesh Yadav | Assistant Manager | Reserve Bank of India | Nagpur | During career |
| Deepti Sharma | Deputy Superintendent of Police | Uttar Pradesh Police | Uttar Pradesh | During career |
| Harbhajan Singh | Deputy Superintendent of Police | Punjab Police | Punjab | During career |
| Richa Ghosh | Deputy Superintendent of Police | West Bengal Police | West Bengal | Recent |
The Indian cricketers government jobs list spans defence forces, banking institutions, police departments, and tax services, reflecting the breadth of institutional recognition available through India’s sports quota framework.
1. MS Dhoni [Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army]
Government Position
MS Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army. This is one of the most prestigious government recognitions ever awarded to an Indian cricketer.
How He Got It
The rank was conferred in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket, including leading India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title. Dhoni completed actual military training with the Parachute Regiment rather than accepting the honour in name only.
Service Highlights
Dhoni served as a commando during his training period and maintained a genuine connection with the armed forces throughout his career. He has participated in military exercises and publicly expressed his commitment to this role.
Current Status
The rank remains honorary. Dhoni does not serve in active military operations but the designation reflects permanent institutional recognition from the Indian Army.
2. Sachin Tendulkar [Group Captain in the Indian Air Force]
Government Position
The Sachin Tendulkar government job recognition came in 2010 when the Indian Air Force conferred upon him the honorary rank of Group Captain. This made him the first cricketer to receive an honorary commission from the IAF.
How He Got It
The appointment was a direct tribute to Tendulkar’s unparalleled contribution to Indian cricket and his ability to inspire an entire generation of Indians over three decades.
Service Highlights
Tendulkar has used his IAF association to promote air force recruitment and national pride. He has attended official IAF events and used the platform to highlight India’s defence capabilities.
Current Status
The rank is honorary and ceremonial. Tendulkar does not hold an operational role within the Air Force but retains the designation in recognition of his lifelong services to Indian sport.
3. KL Rahul [Assistant Manager at the Reserve Bank of India]
Government Position
KL Rahul is employed as an Assistant Manager at the Reserve Bank of India. This is a permanent position obtained through the RBI’s sports quota recruitment pathway.
How He Got It
Rahul secured the role through the sports quota system, which allows elite athletes to join central government institutions based on their sporting achievements at the national level.
Service Highlights
Rahul has been associated with RBI awareness campaigns, including efforts to educate the public about financial scams and banking safety. His appointment reflects the RBI’s commitment to recognising sporting excellence.
Current Status
The position remains active. Rahul continues to hold the RBI designation alongside his active international cricket career.
4. Yuzvendra Chahal [Income Tax Officer]
Government Position
Yuzvendra Chahal serves as an Income Tax Officer in Haryana. The role was awarded through the government’s sports quota system, recognising his contributions to Indian cricket.
How He Got It
Chahal’s consistent performances as India’s premier leg-spinner in white-ball cricket qualified him for a government appointment through the sports achievement pathway available in Haryana.
Service Highlights
Chahal holds the position alongside his active international cricket career. The dual role represents both state recognition and long-term career security for the spinner.
Current Status
Active. Chahal continues to hold the Income Tax Officer designation while playing for India and in the IPL.
5. Mohammed Siraj [DSP in Telangana Police]
Government Position
Mohammed Siraj was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Telangana Police force. DSP Siraj received this recognition following his exceptional bowling performances at the international level.
How He Got It
The Telangana government announced Siraj’s DSP appointment after his standout performances in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. The appointment reflects the state’s tradition of honouring its sporting representatives through government roles.
Service Highlights
The appointment carries significant symbolic weight, given Siraj’s journey from a humble background in Hyderabad to becoming one of India’s most important pace bowlers across all formats.
Current Status
Active cricketer with an honorary DSP designation. Siraj does not hold operational police responsibilities at this stage of his career.
6. Joginder Sharma [DSP in Haryana Police]
Government Position
Joginder Sharma, famous for bowling the final over in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup final victory against Pakistan, holds the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana.
How He Got It
The appointment came through the Haryana government following his retirement from professional cricket. His historic contribution to India’s first T20 World Cup win made him a natural candidate for state recognition.
Service Highlights
Unlike honorary appointments, Joginder Sharma’s DSP role is a working position. He has been actively involved in policing duties within Haryana since transitioning from cricket.
Current Status
Active DSP. Sharma is one of the few former cricketers to hold a fully operational government role in law enforcement after retiring from professional sport.
7. Kapil Dev [Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army]
Government Position
Kapil Dev, India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain, holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army. The rank was conferred in 2008.
How He Got It
The Indian Territorial Army awarded Kapil Dev the honorary commission in recognition of his historic role in leading India to its first ODI World Cup victory and his decades of contribution to Indian cricket.
Service Highlights
Kapil Dev has maintained a public association with the Indian Army and has used his military designation to support veteran welfare causes and national sporting development programmes.
Current Status
Honorary Lieutenant Colonel. The rank is ceremonial and serves as a permanent tribute to his contributions to Indian sport and national pride.
8. Umesh Yadav [Assistant Manager at Reserve Bank of India]
Government Position
Fast bowler Umesh Yadav holds the position of Assistant Manager at the Reserve Bank of India’s Nagpur branch. The role was secured through the RBI’s sports quota recruitment framework.
How He Got It
Yadav qualified for the RBI position based on his international cricket credentials and consistent performances across Test and ODI formats for India over multiple years.
Service Highlights
Yadav’s RBI appointment provides long-term financial security alongside his professional cricket earnings. It represents the institutional value India places on nurturing elite sporting talent through government employment.
Current Status
Active. Yadav continues to hold the Assistant Manager designation while remaining available for selection in Indian domestic and international cricket.
9. Deepti Sharma [DSP in Uttar Pradesh Police]
Government Position
Indian women’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma serves as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Uttar Pradesh. Her appointment reflects growing institutional recognition for women’s cricket in India.
How She Got It
The Uttar Pradesh government awarded Deepti the DSP position through the sports quota system in recognition of her consistent contributions to the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats.
Service Highlights
Deepti’s appointment as a DSP represents a landmark moment for women cricketers in India, demonstrating that government institutions are increasingly willing to extend the same recognition to female athletes as male counterparts.
Current Status
Active cricketer and active DSP designation holder. Deepti continues to represent India in women’s international cricket while holding her government position.
10. Harbhajan Singh [DSP in Punjab Police]
Government Position
Harbhajan Singh, India’s legendary off-spinner and two-time World Cup winner, holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police in Punjab.
How He Got It
The Punjab government awarded Harbhajan the DSP position through the sports quota system in recognition of his decorated international career spanning more than two decades for India.
Service Highlights
Harbhajan has been associated with Punjab’s state sporting and public service initiatives throughout his post-retirement period. His designation reflects his continued importance as a sporting figure within the state.
Current Status
Retired from international cricket. The DSP designation remains active as a permanent recognition of his contributions to Indian and Punjab cricket.
11. Richa Ghosh [DSP in West Bengal Police]
Government Position
Rising wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has been appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police in the West Bengal Police force.
How She Got It
The West Bengal government conferred the DSP designation on Richa through the sports quota pathway, recognising her performances for the Indian women’s cricket team at the international level.
Service Highlights
Richa’s appointment at a young age signals West Bengal’s proactive approach to rewarding emerging cricket talent rather than waiting until players retire from the sport.
Current Status
Active international cricketer. The DSP role is an honorary designation that runs alongside her ongoing career with the Indian women’s team.
Do Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Have Government Jobs?
- Virat Kohli Government Job
Virat Kohli does not hold any government job, honorary or permanent. Despite being one of India’s greatest cricketers, he has never been formally appointed to a government department or defence organisation.
- Virat Kohli government Job Salary
Since Kohli holds no official government post, there is no government salary associated with his name. His income comes entirely from BCCI contracts, IPL earnings, and brand endorsements.
- Rohit Sharma Government Job
Rohit Sharma similarly does not hold any government designation. Like Kohli, his earnings are sourced exclusively from cricket contracts and commercial partnerships rather than any public sector appointment.
Indian Cricketers Government Job Salary Structure
Government salaries for cricketers vary significantly depending on whether the role is honorary or operational.
Honorary ranks in the Army and Air Force carry symbolic value but no fixed monthly salary in most cases.
Operational positions such as DSP and RBI Assistant Manager do carry structured government pay scales.
The Indian cricketers government job salary figures below reflect estimated government pay scales for these designated roles.
| Role | Estimated Monthly Salary | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) | Ceremonial / No fixed pay | Official recognition, uniform entitlement |
| Group Captain (Honorary) | Ceremonial / No fixed pay | IAF privileges, official designation |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police | INR 56,100 – INR 1,77,500 | HRA, DA, medical benefits, pension |
| Income Tax Officer | INR 44,900 – INR 1,42,400 | Government housing, travel, medical |
| RBI Assistant Manager | INR 55,000 – INR 75,000 | Banking perks, housing loan, insurance |
FAQs:
- Which Indian cricketers have government jobs?
Major names include MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Joginder Sharma, Kapil Dev, Umesh Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, and Richa Ghosh. Roles span the Army, Air Force, Police, RBI, and Income Tax departments.
- Are these jobs honorary or permanent?
Both types exist. Defence ranks for Dhoni, Tendulkar, and Kapil Dev are honorary. DSP and RBI positions held by players like Siraj, Chahal, and KL Rahul are permanent government appointments made through sports quota processes.
- Do active cricketers attend the office regularly?
Active cricketers are generally exempt from regular office duties due to their international schedules. Sports quota appointments typically allow flexible attendance arrangements to accommodate training and match commitments.
- Which state appoints most Cricketers With govt jobs?
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have historically been among the most active states in appointing cricketers through government roles. Telangana, Punjab, and West Bengal have also made significant appointments in recent years.
- Are there Indian cricketers who have government job in india through sports quota?
Yes, the sports quota system is the primary pathway for most appointments. KL Rahul and Umesh Yadav joined the RBI through this route. Chahal entered the Income Tax department via sports quota, and several DSP appointments across state police forces follow the same framework.
Conclusion:
Government recognition for cricketers in India reflects a deep institutional respect for sporting excellence.
The list of indian cricketers who have government job positions continues to grow as more states formalise their sports quota commitments.
These appointments carry meaning beyond financial security, representing the nation’s acknowledgement that its sporting heroes deserve a place in public service.
- National Pride
Government appointments cement the cricketer’s status as a national asset. The designation remains permanent regardless of performance fluctuations later in their careers.
- Dual Responsibility
Holding both a cricket career and a government position requires discipline and institutional commitment. Players like Joginder Sharma have demonstrated that both roles can coexist meaningfully.
- Youth Inspiration
Young cricketers from smaller towns view government appointments as motivation to pursue elite sport. The sports quota system creates a tangible career pathway beyond cricket itself.
- Service Beyond Cricket
Players like Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh show that government recognition is no longer restricted to male or senior cricketers. Women and emerging players are equally valued within India’s public service framework.
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