New Delhi, January 25, 2026 — Former India captain Rohit Sharma and Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur have been selected for the prestigious Padma Shri award, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to cricket.
The announcement came as part of the 2026 Padma Awards list released by the Central Government on Republic Day eve. Both cricketers feature among nine sportspersons chosen for civilian honours this year.
Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most accomplished white-ball batsmen and leaders, guided the national team to two ICC titles—the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024—ending a long wait for global success. Following the T20 World Cup triumph, he retired from the shortest format at its peak. He later stepped away from Test cricket in 2025 and now represents India exclusively in ODIs. With over 20,109 international runs, including 50 centuries and 111 half-centuries, Rohit’s longevity, consistency, and match-winning ability have redefined India’s limited-overs approach.
Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian captain to win the ICC Women’s World Cup after leading India to a historic 52-run victory over South Africa in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Her leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in elevating women’s cricket in the country.
The Padma Shri adds to Rohit’s growing list of accolades and marks the second consecutive year a male cricketer has received the honour after Ravichandran Ashwin in 2025. For Harmanpreet, it is a fitting tribute to her trailblazing role in women’s cricket.
Other Sportspersons Honoured
- Padma Bhushan: Legendary tennis player Vijay Amritraj, for his iconic victories and contributions to Indian tennis, including guiding India to Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987.
- Padma Shri: Women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, Baldev Singh, Bhagwandas Raikwar, K Pajanivel, Praveen Kumar, and posthumously Georgian wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili for his lasting impact on Indian wrestling.
The awards celebrate excellence across sports and recognise individuals who have inspired generations through dedication and achievement.
