Colonel Ravinder Singh "Pickles" Sodhi (born c. 1940s) is a retired officer of the Indian Army and a former Indian polo player. He served in the 61st Cavalry and was among IndiaâÂÂs leading polo players during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1983, he received the Arjuna Award for his achievements in polo, making him one of the rare sibling pairs â with his elder brother Colonel H. S. "Billy" Sodhi â to both receive IndiaâÂÂs top sporting honour.
Sodhi was born in Rawalpindi into a cavalry family; his father, Brigadier Ajit Singh, owned a farm where Ravinder and his elder brother Harinder âÂÂBillyâ Sodhi learned to ride. After Partition the family relocated to India. Like his brother, Sodhi attended the Lawrence School, Sanawar, known for its equestrian tradition, before joining the National Defence Academy where he pursued polo competitively.
Sodhi was commissioned into the 61st Cavalry in the late 1960s. He rose to the rank of Colonel, combining regimental duties with competitive polo and mentoring younger Army riders. His career exemplified the 61st CavalryâÂÂs dual role of ceremonial function and equestrian sport.
Sodhi emerged as one of IndiaâÂÂs leading polo players of the 1970s and 1980s.
In recognition of his achievements, Sodhi was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1983.
Sodhi is married to Nafisa Ali, a former national swimming champion, actress, and social activist. They have three children.
The Sodhi family is one of IndiaâÂÂs most decorated sporting lineages:
After retiring from the Army, Col. R. S. Sodhi remained involved in polo as a player, mentor, and adviser. He has been associated with the Delhi Polo Club and the Indian Polo Association. Alongside his wife, he remains active in DelhiâÂÂs cultural and sporting circles.
Sodhi is remembered for sustaining Indian polo in the decades after Independence, working alongside contemporaries like Brig. V. P. Singh, Col. H. S. Sodhi, Col. Bhawani Singh, Col. Kuldeep Singh Garcha and Rao Raja Hanut Singh.