5 Indian cricketers and their government jobs

Many Indian cricketers, especially in the 20th century, were offered government jobs as a means to support their careers financially. Cricket was never meant to be a rich sport around three to four decades ago; it is today in India. With the emergence of IPL and BCCI’s hold on world cricket, the players are no longer in need of such financial assistance.

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However, even then, they are offered government jobs today to honour their contribution to the sport in the country. Rinku Singh was the latest addition to the list who was recently appointed the District Basic Education Officer by the UP government. On that note, let us have a look at five Indian cricketers and their government jobs.

1. MS Dhoni - Lieutenant Colonel, Indian Army

Former Indian cricketer and the most successful captain in the country, MS Dhoni, is a proud Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. He was awarded the honorary rank in 2011 by the Territorial Army. His love for the military was well known during his playing days and was often seen spending time at the border with jawans. Dhoni also underwent training with the Indian Army’s parachute regiment.

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2. KL Rahul - Assistant Manager, Reserve Bank of India

Indian batter KL Rahul who is still very much a massive part of the Indian team in Tests and ODIs also holds a government job. He is an assistant manager at the Reserve Bank of India and secured the role through the sports quota system in 2018. Amidst his busy cricketing and training schedule, Rahul filled out the necessary paperwork and officially became an assistant manager. He has also shot multiple advertisements for the bank to raise awareness about the ongoing frauds and scams.

3. Sachin Tendulkar - Group Captain, Indian Air Force

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Sachin Tendulkar served Indian cricket for two and a half decades and very few are aware that he also holds a government job. In 2010, Tendulkar was conferred the honorary title of Group Captain by the Indian Air Force. He became the first and only sportsperson then to receive such a massive honour without an aviation background. The IAF decided to recognise his achievements for the country on the field with special recognition.Tendulkar also makes sure to take part in Air Force’s special events.

4. Joginder Sharma - DSP, Haryana

Joginder Sharma is best remembered for his heroics in the final over of the 2007 T20 World Cup final against India. However, his cricket career didn’t take off as expected after that. But he transitioned to a full-time government employee by becoming a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Haryana. He never returned to the cricket field after that and is still serving in the position.

5. Mohammed Siraj - DSP, Telangana

India fast bowler who is currently shining in the ongoing tour of England, is also a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Telangana. He also assumed office and took charge of his duty during his time away from the game last year in October. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced a government job and a residential plot for him after Siraj won the T20 World Cup with the Indian squad in the West Indies in June 2024.

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