Harmanpreet Kaur conferred Padma Shri by Prez Murmu
New Delhi, May 25
Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was on Monday conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of her contribution to Indian cricket and her leadership in guiding the Women in Blue to major international success, including a World Cup triumph on home soil.
She was among the select sportspersons honoured this year, alongside India men's captain Rohit Sharma, making them the only two cricketers to receive the award in the 2026 list.
The honour was presented during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Murmu conferred Padma awards across categories, including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. In total, 131 Padma Awards were approved for 2026, with additional recipients to be felicitated in a subsequent phase.
Harmanpreet attended the ceremony in a cream-coloured traditional outfit as she received the prestigious civilian honour.
Her recognition comes after a decorated international career in which she led India through multiple ICC tournaments and ultimately captained the side to a landmark ODI World Cup victory in 2025, where India defeated South Africa in the final to claim their maiden title. The triumph marked a defining moment in her fifth World Cup appearance, ending years of near misses on the global stage.
Earlier, when the list of awardees was announced, Harmanpreet expressed her gratitude in a video shared by her Women's Premier League (WPL) team Mumbai Indians, describing the moment as deeply significant for her family.
"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," Harmanpreet Kaur had said in a video shared by the franchise.
She also acknowledged Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the honours list, 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."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, women's cricket gets the recognition it deserves! Harmanpreet's journey from a small town in Punjab to the President's House is truly inspiring. This will motivate countless young girls to take up the sport.
No doubt she deserves this, but I hope the government also focuses on improving grassroots infrastructure for women's cricket. One award doesn't fix the lack of proper facilities in smaller towns. Still, congratulations to her! 🙌
The way she handled the 2025 World Cup final with such calmness and leadership was amazing. Harmanpreet has changed the face of Indian women's cricket forever. So happy for her parents too, they must be bursting with pride! 🎉
It's wonderful to see women cricketers getting their due. Harmanpreet has been a consistent performer for years. I just wish the BCCI would promote women's matches more on TV. Many of us still can't easily watch their games. But this is a great step forward!
Well deserved! Both Harmanpreet and Rohit getting Padma Shri together is a nice symmetry - two captains who led India to World Cup glory. Her 171* against Australia in the 2017 WC semi-final still gives me goosebumps! What a player and leader. 🏏
T We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.