Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Awarded The Padma Shri : Special moment for Indian Cricket By CricketBinge Desk • Published January 30, 2026 • player Share: Facebook Twitter Indian cricket celebrated another proud moment when Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur were declared as Padma Shri award recipients, one of the highest civilian awards of the country. The credit does not only bring out the genius of the individual, but a revolution in Indian cricket that is being spearheaded by two contemporary stars. The Padma Shri being the fourth highest civilian award in India is conferred on a person whose contributions go way beyond the numbers and both the captains fall into that category perfectly! Rohit Sharma National Honour: Leadership Beyond Records. The Rohit Sharma national honour is the culmination of a career that started from explosive batting and evolved into elite leadership. Rohit already has the Arjuna Award and the Khel Ratna to his name and the Padma Shri is another indication of the influence his quiet captaincy has had on reshaping the white-ball dominance in India. Rohit has both tactical and cultural influence, changing the way we view opening batting in ODIs to leading India under high pressure ICC tournaments. His ability to handle big match nerves, support young players and lead without theatrics has created a new template of how a leader should be. This Padma Shri award for Rohit Sharma solidifies his position as one of the most esteemed minds in cricketing history of India. Harmanpreet Kaur Padma Shri: A defining moment for Women’s Cricket The Harmanpreet Kaur Padma Shri is equally important or rather historic. Harmanpreet is the face of Indian women in the world of cricket, and she is always breaking barriers and showing that leadership and greatness do not depend on gender. Her violent thinking, bold choices, and skill to perform at the international tournaments has elevated the image of India in women's cricket. More so, she has succeeded in making thousands of young girls believe that cricket is not just for boys and is an achievable dream. Padma Shri Awardees - 2026. Athlete Sport Contribution Rohit Sharma Cricket Leadership and sustained excellence Harmanpreet Kaur Cricket Growth of women’s cricket Savita Punia Hockey International performances Vijay Amritraj Tennis Contribution to Indian tennis More Than Medals: Cultural Impact The list above is an indication of a progressive change in national perceptions. With these awards, it is clear to everyone that Indian cricketers are not only being honoured for their trophies but also for their contributions in developing the future of the sport in India. FAQs Q: Who has won the Padma Shri Award in cricket?A: Many Indian cricketers have won the Padma Shri, including legends like Virat Kohli (2017), MS Dhoni (2009), Sachin Tendulkar (1999), Ravichandran Ashwin (2025) and dozens more over the years. Q: Who won the Padma Shri Award in 2026?A: In 2026, Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur were awarded the Padma Shri for their contributions to Indian cricket. Q: Who rejected the Padma Shri Award?A: There’s no widely reported case of a famous cricketer rejecting a Padma Shri; singer Sandhya Mukherjee has rejected it in 2022. Q: Has Virat Kohli got the Padma Shri?A: Yes, Virat Kohli received the Padma Shri award in 2017 for his achievements in cricket.
