Hardik Singh Receives Nomination for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2025

Hardik Singh, two-time Olympic medallist and vice-captain of the Indian men's hockey team, has been nominated for the esteemed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2025, symbolizing a major recognition of his outstanding performance on the international field.

This nomination underscores a notable trend: for the second straight year, no cricketers have been chosen for India’s loftiest sports honour. Even though veteran cricketer Mohammed Shami received the Arjuna Award in 2023, cricketers were notably absent from this year's Khel Ratna shortlist.

The confirmed nominations list was unveiled on Wednesday by a distinguished panel that includes Gagan Narang, vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), M.M. Somaya, the 1980 Olympic gold medallist, and badminton star Aparna Popat.

India’s highest sporting honour, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, is awarded annually by the President of India via the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It celebrates remarkable accomplishments and significant contributions made by athletes in various sports disciplines.

Since debuting on the international stage in 2018, Hardik Singh has become a key player for the Indian men’s hockey team, actively contributing to their bronze medal wins at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. To date, only six hockey players have received the Khel Ratna Award, a prestigious list that includes legends like Dhanraj Pillay and Sardar Singh.

At just 27, Hardik has already played 164 international matches, collecting consecutive Hockey India Player of the Year accolades in 2022 and 2023, in addition to being named the FIH Player of the Year in 2023 and receiving the Arjuna Award in 2021.

His exceptional abilities have been integral to India's achievements, including victories in the Asia Cup 2025, which secured the nation's entry into the forthcoming Hockey World Cup, along with triumphs in the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 and the Asian Games.

Last year's Khel Ratna honorees featured Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, two-time Paris Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, chess prodigy D. Gukesh, alongside para-athlete Praveen Kumar.

In a related update, yogasana athlete Aarti Pal has made history by being nominated for the Arjuna Award, marking her as the first-ever yogasana practitioner to gain this honour. She is the reigning national and Asian champion and her discipline will be showcased as a demonstration sport in next year's Asian Games in Japan.

The announcement regarding the Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award nominees is anticipated in the upcoming weeks as this year's prestigious awards in Indian sports unfold.