
Recognizing sporting icons with India’s highest civilian awards always brings a sense of national pride, celebrating individuals who have shaped the country’s cultural and emotional landscape. In the latest edition of the national awards, the two stalwarts of modern cricket, the men’s captain Rohit Sharma and female captain Harmanpreet Kaurawarded with prestigious awards Padma Sri. This landmark addition takes the total number of Indian cricketers recognized with this civilian honor to an all-time high, immortalizing their immense contributions alongside some of the greatest legends of the game.
Awarded by the Government of India on the eve of Republic Day, the Padma Shri serves as the country’s fourth highest civilian award. It celebrates outstanding service in a variety of fields, including sports, the arts, public affairs and science. The selection of Rohit and Harmanpreet underscores a phenomenal phase of Indian cricket’s international dominance, highlighting exceptional leaders who have successfully parlayed their talent into historic global silverware.
How Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur won India’s fourth highest civilian honour
Rohit’s journey to Padma Shri is a testament to resilience, evolution and unparalleled leadership. Affectionately known as ‘Hitman’, Rohit left an unforgettable legacy as one of the most devastating opening batsmen in the history of cricket. His stint as the national skipper culminated when he masterfully led the Indian men’s team to an unbeaten, historic title in the 2024 T20 World Cup, breaking an 11-year ICC trophy drought. His leadership remains the blueprint of selfless, modern cricket.
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet continued her stellar trajectory as a legendary pioneer for women in sports. A dynamic, powerful batsman, Harmanpreet etched her name forever in folklore by guiding the national team to a resounding victory in the Women’s ODI World Cup. In doing so, she became the first Indian women’s team captain to lift major ICC silverware. Her inclusion in the list highlights the monumental progress and rapid growth that women’s cricket has witnessed in India over the past decade, standing proud alongside the past pioneers. Julan Goswami and Mithali Raj.
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Here is the complete list of Indian cricketers who will receive the Padma Shri
With the inclusion of two contemporary captains, the list of elite Indian cricketers to receive this coveted medal spans all eras, highlighting the icons that defined the sport from the early post-independence era to the high-octane 2020s.
Like the iconic early heroes Vijay Hazare and Polly Umrigar Laying the groundwork in the 1960s, subsequent generations have taken master tactics and legendary icons to the same heights. Note that Sachin Tendulkar He received this honor in 1999 before receiving the highest award, the Bharat Ratna. MS Dhoni He gained recognition after his first T20 World Cup win in 2009. A modern phenomenon Virat Kohli In 2017, he joined the legendary ranks.
A complete chronological roll of Indian cricketers who have been awarded the Padma Shri reflects the rich evolution of the country’s beloved sport:
| year | buyer |
| 1960 | Vijay Hazare |
| 1960 | Jas Patel |
| 1962 | Nari Contractor |
| 1962 | Polly Umrigar |
| 1963 | Syed Mushtaq Ali |
| 1964 | MJ Gopalan |
| 1965 | DB Deodhar |
| 1967 | Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi |
| 1969 | Chandu Borde |
| 1970 | Bishan Singh Bedi |
| 1970 | EAS Prasanna |
| 1971 | Gundappa Vishwanath |
| 1972 | Ajit Wadekar |
| 1972 | BS Chandrasekhar |
| 1973 | Farok is an engineer |
| 1975 | Pankaj Roy |
| 1980 | Sunil Gavaskar |
| 1982 | Kapil Dev |
| 1982 | Seyed Kirmani |
| 1984 | Chuni Goswami |
| 1987 | Dilip Vengsarkar |
| 1988 | Mohammad Azhareddin |
| 1999 | Sachin Tendulkar |
| 2002 | Diana Edulji |
| 2003 | S. Venkataraghavan |
| 2004 | Rahul Dravid |
| 2004 | Sourav Ganguly |
| 2005 | Anil Kumble |
| 2009 | MS Dhoni |
| 2009 | Harbhajan Singh |
| 2010 | Virender Sehwag |
| 2011 | Plumbing Laxman |
| 2012 | Julan Goswami |
| 2014 | Yuvraj Singh |
| 2014 | Anjum Chopra |
| 2015 | Mithali Raj |
| 2017 | Virat Kohli |
| 2019 | Gautam Gambhir |
| 2020 | Zaheer Khan |
| 2023 | Gurcharan Singh (coach) |
| 2025 | R Ashwin |
| 2026 | Rohit Sharma |
| 2026 | Harmanpreet Kaur |
This prestigious buzz honors those who have inspired millions of fans worldwide, highlighting how cricket bridges the circle.
Also WATCH: India women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur receives the prestigious Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu

