Every Indian cricketer dreams of wearing the national cap. Yet, only a few earn national sporting honours. The Arjuna Award for cricket stands among the highest marks of respect in Indian sport. It reflects years of discipline, match pressure, and quiet consistency.
Fans often search for one clear answer. Who received the Arjuna Award for cricket, and when did it happen? Records are scattered, and some lists miss context. That creates confusion for readers, students, and grassroots players.
This guide solves that problem. It gives a clean, verified list of Arjuna Award for cricket winners, along with stories that explain why these names matter.
What is the Arjuna Award in cricket?
The Arjuna Award is a national sports honour given by the Government of India. It rewards sustained performance at the international or national level. In cricket, it reflects long-term contribution rather than one great season.
The award began in 1961. Since then, it has tracked the growth of Indian cricket across generations. From early Test specialists to modern all-format players, the Arjuna Award for cricket mirrors India’s cricket journey.
Key facts help set the context clearly.
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- The award is named after Arjuna from the Mahabharata
- It is given annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Selection depends on performance, discipline, and consistency
- Both men and women cricketers are eligible
Together, these points explain why the award carries respect across eras. It is not about fame alone. It is about years of trust earned on the field.
Arjuna award for cricket winners list (1961 to 2023)
Below is the verified list of cricketers who have received the Arjuna Award for cricket so far. The data reflects verified public records and corrected player details.
| Year | Cricketer | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Salim Durani | Male |
| 1964 | Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi | Male |
| 1965 | Vijay Manjrekar | Male |
| 1966 | Chandu Borde | Male |
| 1967 | Ajit Wadekar | Male |
| 1968 | E. A. S. Prasanna | Male |
| 1969 | Bishan Singh Bedi | Male |
| 1970 | Dilip Sardesai | Male |
| 1971 | Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan | Male |
| 1972 | B. S. Chandrashekhar | Male |
| 1972 | Eknath Solkar | Male |
| 1975 | Sunil Gavaskar | Male |
| 1976 | Shantha Rangaswamy | Female |
| 1977–1978 | Gundappa Viswanath | Male |
| 1979–1980 | Kapil Dev | Male |
| 1980–1981 | Chetan Chauhan | Male |
| 1980–1981 | Syed Kirmani | Male |
| 1981 | Dilip Vengsarkar | Male |
| 1982 | Mohinder Amarnath | Male |
| 1983 | Diana Edulji | Female |
| 1984 | Ravi Shastri | Male |
| 1985 | Shubhangi Kulkarni | Female |
| 1986 | Sandhya Agarwal | Female |
| 1986 | Mohammad Azharuddin | Male |
| 1989 | Madan Lal | Male |
| 1993 | Kiran More | Male |
| 1993 | Manoj Prabhakar | Male |
| 1994 | Sachin Tendulkar | Male |
| 1995 | Anil Kumble | Male |
| 1996 | Javagal Srinath | Male |
| 1997 | Sourav Ganguly | Male |
| 1997 | Ajay Jadeja | Male |
| 1998 | Rahul Dravid | Male |
| 1998 | Nayan Mongia | Male |
| 2000 | Venkatesh Prasad | Male |
| 2001 | VVS Laxman | Male |
| 2002 | Virender Sehwag | Male |
| 2003 | Mithali Raj | Female |
| 2003 | Harbhajan Singh | Male |
| 2005 | Anju Jain | Female |
| 2006 | Anjum Chopra | Male |
| 2009 | Gautam Gambhir | Male |
| 2010 | Jhulan Goswami | Female |
| 2011 | Zaheer Khan | Male |
| 2012 | Yuvraj Singh | Male |
| 2013 | Virat Kohli | Male |
| 2014 | Ravichandran Ashwin | Male |
| 2015 | Rohit Sharma | Male |
| 2016 | Ajinkya Rahane | Male |
| 2017 | Harmanpreet Kaur | Female |
| 2017 | Cheteshwar Pujara | Male |
| 2018 | Smriti Mandhana | Female |
| 2019 | Ravindra Jadeja | Male |
| 2019 | Poonam Yadav | Female |
| 2020 | Deepti Sharma | Female |
| 2020 | Ishant Sharma | Male |
| 2021 | Shikhar Dhawan | Male |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami | Male |
This list is often searched as “arjuna award for cricket winners”, and accuracy matters. Each name here played a clear role in shaping Indian cricket’s growth years.
Arjuna Award for cricket winners who defined eras
Awards tell stories when grouped by time. Certain players did more than score runs or take wickets. They shaped how India played cricket.
1970s to early 1980s: building self-belief
This phase featured Gavaskar, Viswanath, Kapil Dev, and Kirmani. India learned to win abroad and fight strong teams.
- Gavaskar set standards for opening batters
- Kapil Dev brought pace bowling depth
- Viswanath showed elegance under pressure
The Arjuna Award for cricket during this phase marked India’s mental shift.
1990s: professional mindset arrives
Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid defined this period. Training improved, fitness mattered more, and preparation became detailed.
- Tendulkar carried batting responsibility for years
- Kumble led spin bowling through grit
- Dravid became the backbone of Test cricket
Their awards matched long-term performance, not popularity.
2010s onward: all-format excellence
Modern winners play across formats. Kohli, Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Jadeja reflect this change.
- Fitness standards rose sharply
- Workload management became normal
- Leadership extended beyond the field
The Arjuna Award for cricket adapted with the game.
Women cricketers and the Arjuna Award for cricket
Women’s cricket gained steady attention through this award. Shantha Rangaswamy became the first woman cricketer to receive it in 1976. Her selection set a long-term signal.
Later winners strengthened that path.
- Diana Edulji led India during limited support
- Mithali Raj brought global respect to Indian batting
- Jhulan Goswami carried fast bowling alone for years
- Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana inspired a new generation
These awards did not come quickly. Yet, each one reflected years of effort behind limited coverage.
Also read: Top 10 richest Indian women cricketers
How the Arjuna Award selection works in cricket
The selection process follows clear criteria. It focuses on sustained performance, discipline, and conduct. Short-term form alone does not decide the award.
The process usually includes:
- Review of international and domestic records
- Input from sports federations and selectors
- Evaluation of sportsmanship and consistency
This system explains why many winners received the award after several years of service. Patience matters here.
Why the Arjuna Award for cricket still matters today
Some fans ask whether awards still matter in modern cricket. The answer is yes. The Arjuna Award for cricket stands apart from commercial success.
It matters because:
- It rewards long careers, not short fame
- It includes women and domestic contributors
- It connects grassroots dreams to national honour
For young players scoring matches on CricHeroes, this award represents a long-term goal. One season never defines a career.
Grassroots cricket, recognition, & CricHeroes awards
Every Arjuna Award for cricket winner began in local cricket. Those early matches build habits, patience, and hunger. Yet, many strong amateur seasons still pass without wide attention.
That is why the CricHeroes Awards matter. The CricHeroes Awards are the world’s only global grassroots cricket awards, built to honour amateur players and community contributors who might otherwise go unnoticed. They use in-app match data, and some Popularity Awards also include fan voting.
- Formats covered include tennis ball, leather ball, and box cricket
- Categories include Batter of the Year, Bowler of the Year, and Team of the Year
- Contributors include scorers, umpires, organisers, commentators, and streamers
This keeps local cricket fair and memorable. It also helps every role feel seen. Your cricket matters.
Key takeaways and what this list tells us
The Arjuna Award for cricket is not about one big match. It reflects years of effort, fitness, and discipline. Each winner represents a phase of Indian cricket’s growth.
From Salim Durani to Mohammed Shami, the list shows how the game evolved. It also shows that women’s cricket earned its place through patience and performance.
FAQ
Who was the first winner of the Arjuna award for cricket
Salim Durani was the first cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award in 1961.
What is the Arjuna award for cricket given for
The award is given for consistent performance, discipline, and contribution to Indian cricket over time.
How many women have won the Arjuna award for cricket in this list
Four women cricketers received the award between 1976 and 1986.
Did Sunil Gavaskar receive the Arjuna award before his peak years
Yes, Sunil Gavaskar received the award in 1975, before many of his record-setting seasons.
Is Kapil Dev included among Arjuna award for cricket winners
Yes, Kapil Dev received the Arjuna Award during 1979–1980.
Are wicketkeepers included in the Arjuna award list
Yes, Syed Kirmani received the award for his role as a wicketkeeper.
Why are some years shown as ranges
Some awards were announced across overlapping sporting years, not calendar years.
Does the award focus only on international cricket
No, it considers overall contribution, including domestic cricket performance.
Is the Arjuna award still relevant today
Yes, it remains one of India’s most respected sports honours.
Where can grassroots players track their cricket journey today
Grassroots players can track matches, stats, and scores using platforms like CricHeroes.
I am Manan Joshi , SEO All-Rounder at CricHeroes.
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