Harmanpreet Kaur receives Padma Shri from President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Synopsis
Harmanpreet Kaur's Padma Shri isn't just a personal milestone — it is institutional recognition of a transformation in Indian women's cricket. Conferred by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the award arrives months after Harmanpreet captained India to their maiden ODI World Cup title, defeating South Africa in the final on her fifth attempt at the trophy.
Key Takeaways
Harmanpreet Kaur was conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on 25 May 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan .
She and Rohit Sharma are the only two cricketers in the 2026 Padma Awards list.
A total of 131 Padma Awards were approved for 2026, presented across the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories.
Harmanpreet captained India to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 2025 , defeating South Africa in the final — her fifth World Cup appearance .
She described the honour as 'a very big moment' for her family, saying her father received the call from Rashtrapati Bhavan first.
Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, 25 May 2026, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honouring her outstanding contribution to Indian cricket and her leadership in steering the Women in Blue to historic international success. The award caps a career that culminated in a landmark ODI World Cup title on home soil in 2025.
The Ceremony
The honour was presented during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Murmu conferred awards across all three Padma categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. A total of 131 Padma Awards were approved for 2026, with a second phase of felicitations scheduled for remaining recipients. Harmanpreet attended the ceremony dressed in a cream-coloured traditional outfit.
Two Cricketers, One Honours List
Harmanpreet and India men's captain Rohit Sharma were the only two cricketers named in the 2026 Padma Awards list, a distinction that underscores the stature both have achieved in their respective formats. Their simultaneous recognition marks a rare moment of parallel celebration for Indian cricket across genders.
A Career Defined by Perseverance
The Padma Shri recognition traces the arc of Harmanpreet's decorated international journey — one that spanned multiple ICC tournaments and, ultimately, a 2025 ODI World Cup triumph in which India defeated South Africa in the final to claim their maiden title. The victory came on her fifth World Cup appearance, ending years of near-misses on the global stage and cementing her legacy as one of India's most consequential cricket captains.
What Harmanpreet Said
When the awardees list was first announced, Harmanpreet shared her reaction in a video posted by her Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise Mumbai Indians. 'My dad got a call from President House. This year I'm going to get the Padma Shri Award. I think it's a very big moment for me. And I'm happy that, you know, before me my parents got to know,' she said. She also extended congratulations to Rohit Sharma, adding, 'Many many congratulations to [Rohit] also. We have seen how, you know, he has been really working hard and I think it's a great moment for him.'
What This Signals
The dual recognition of Harmanpreet and Rohit Sharma reflects a broader shift in how Indian sporting achievement — particularly women's cricket — is being acknowledged at the highest civilian level. Notably, Harmanpreet's award follows the BCCI's own elevation of women's cricket infrastructure and the commercial success of the WPL, both of which have amplified the sport's national visibility. With the Women in Blue now World Cup champions, the Padma Shri serves as institutional confirmation of a transformation long in the making.
Point of View
Yet civilian recognition for women athletes has historically lagged their male counterparts by years. The fact that she and Rohit Sharma are the only two cricketers on the 2026 list is symbolically powerful, but it also raises the question of whether the honours framework will now routinely track women's cricket milestones in real time rather than retrospectively. With the WPL expanding and BCCI investment in women's cricket rising, the institutional case for parity in recognition is stronger than ever — and this award sets a visible precedent.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Harmanpreet Kaur receive the Padma Shri in 2026?
Harmanpreet Kaur received the Padma Shri in recognition of her contribution to Indian cricket and her leadership as captain of the Women in Blue, most notably guiding India to their maiden ODI World Cup title in 2025. She was among 131 Padma awardees approved for 2026.
Who conferred the Padma Shri on Harmanpreet Kaur?
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Shri on Harmanpreet Kaur on 25 May 2026 during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony of the year at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Which other cricketer received a Padma Award in 2026 alongside Harmanpreet?
India men's captain Rohit Sharma was the other cricketer honoured in the 2026 Padma Awards list. Both Harmanpreet and Rohit received the Padma Shri, making them the only two cricketers recognised in this cycle.
What was Harmanpreet Kaur's reaction to the Padma Shri?
Harmanpreet described the honour as 'a very big moment' for her, saying she was especially glad her parents learned of it before she did, after her father received the call from Rashtrapati Bhavan. She also congratulated Rohit Sharma on his inclusion in the honours list.
What is the significance of India's 2025 ODI World Cup win for Harmanpreet's legacy?
India's 2025 ODI World Cup victory — achieved by defeating South Africa in the final — was the team's maiden title and came on Harmanpreet's fifth World Cup appearance, ending years of near-misses. It is widely regarded as the defining achievement of her captaincy and a watershed moment for Indian women's cricket.
