It was a proud moment for both World Cup-winning captains, Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, as both players were awarded the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award. Harmanpreet captained the Indian women’s team to a World Cup win in November 2025 in the limited-overs World Cup in India. The Women in Blue beat Australia in the semi-final and beat South Africa to win their first Women’s World Cup. It was a historic moment for the Indian women’s team as well as for Harmanpreet. The right-handed batter played her fifth limited overs world cup.
The 36-year-old veteran said her father received a call from the President's house that she would be awarded the Padma Shri this year. She said she was overjoyed after hearing this news. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma captained India to a win in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June 2024. It was Team India’s second T20I World Cup win after 2007, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni captained Team India to an incredible win.
Rohit Sharma also led the team to a win in the 2025 Champions Trophy. India won its third Champions Trophy after winning the trophy in 2002 (Joint Winners with Sri Lanka) and 2013. Rohit Sharma retired from test cricket and T20I cricket during 2024-25 but continues to play in the 50-over format. The 38-year-old is eager to play the 2027 limited overs world cup that would be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe & Namibia. The right-hander is amongst the modern-day greats in mens International cricket.
The Government of India declared a list of 131 awards on the 25th of January 2026, Sunday, that also included the names of both these players. Harmanpreet congratulated Rohit Sharma for being awarded the Padma Shri. She stated that he has been working very hard and has led the team with determination.
Harmanpreet made her debut in International cricket in March 2009. She played a superlative knock in the 2017 World Cup against Australia in the semi-final, scoring an unbeaten 171 in just 115 balls, hitting 20 fours and 7 sixes, helping the Women in Blue win that game and make it to the final. This innings would be remembered among the finest innings in women's ODI and World Cup history. She received the Arjuna Award in the same year. Harmanpreet is amongst the finest match winners in women's cricket in the modern-day game.
Harmanpreet said she was delighted to win the award. She said she had been dreaming of winning the World Cup right throughout her playing career. She said winning the Arjuna award and now being awarded a Padma Shri is like a big achievement.
The Government of India had prepared a list of 113 individuals for the Padma Shri awards from different fields like Sports, Literature, Public Service, Arts, among others.
In the sports category, former India Tennis Legend Vijay Amritraj was the only Indian Sportsperson to be awarded the Padma Bhushan, which is the third-highest civilian award.
