A Shift in India’s Sports Awards Landscape
In a major development in Indian sports, the Arjuna Award 2025 list has been announced with a surprising twist—no cricketer has been recommended this year. Instead, the spotlight has shifted to emerging and Olympic sports, highlighting India’s evolving sporting ecosystem. Most notably, Yogasana has earned national recognition for the first time, while Indian hockey’s midfield pillar Hardik Singh is set to receive the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Hardik Singh: The Sole Khel Ratna Nominee
Indian hockey vice-captain Hardik Singh, 27, is the only athlete recommended for the Khel Ratna Award 2025, the country’s highest sporting honour. Hardik has been a key member of the Indian men’s hockey team that won bronze medals at the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This year, his contribution was instrumental in India’s gold medal triumph at the Asia Cup, further strengthening his claim for the top honour. Sports experts believe Hardik’s consistency, leadership, and impact in big tournaments made him a unanimous choice by the selection committee.
No Cricketer in Arjuna Award List
One of the biggest talking points of the Arjuna Award 2025 announcement is the complete absence of cricketers. The last cricketer to receive the award was Mohammed Shami in 2023. Officials clarified that the selection was purely merit-based, reflecting performances across disciplines rather than popularity.
The Arjuna Award carries a cash prize of ₹15 lakh, while the Khel Ratna Award includes a medal, citation, and ₹25 lakh cash prize.
Yogasana Athlete Creates History
In a landmark moment for Indian sports, Aarti Pal has become the first Yogasana athlete to be recommended for the Arjuna Award. Yogasana received official recognition from the Ministry of Sports five years ago, making this selection a historic milestone.
Aarti Pal is currently a national and Asian champion, and her achievement comes at a crucial time as Yogasana will feature as a demonstration sport in the 2026 Asian Games. Sports administrators see this as a strong signal of India’s push to promote traditional and indigenous sports on global platforms.
New Faces and Milestones in Arjuna Awards
The selection committee has recommended 24 athletes for the Arjuna Award, including:
Divya Deshmukh, who became the first Indian woman to win the Chess World Cup
Vidit Gujrathi, for consistent excellence in chess
Tejaswin Shankar, Asian Games silver medallist in decathlon
Mehuli Ghosh, two-time World Championship bronze medallist in shooting
Pranati Nayak, gymnast
Treesa Jolly–Gayatri Gopichand, India’s top women’s badminton doubles pair
Notably, 20-year-old Divya Deshmukh is also the youngest World Champion in chess, marking a generational shift in Indian mind sports.
Why This Matters Now
The Arjuna Award 2025 selections underline India’s broader sports vision—rewarding Olympic success, promoting non-mainstream disciplines, and encouraging gender and sport diversity. With Yogasana gaining ground and hockey reclaiming global respect, Indian sports appear to be entering a more inclusive and performance-driven era.
This year’s sports awards are not just about honours—they reflect changing priorities, emerging heroes, and India’s growing confidence beyond cricket.
