NEW DELHI: Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed profound gratitude and described it as a "very big moment" in her illustrious career after being named a Padma Shri awardee. The announcement came as part of the Padma Awards 2026 list, revealed on the eve of the 77th Republic Day celebrations across the nation.
A Historic Recognition for Cricket Excellence
The Padma Shri represents India's fourth-highest civilian honour, recognizing distinguished service in various fields. This prestigious award comes exactly one year after Harmanpreet Kaur made sporting history by leading the Indian women's cricket team to their maiden Women's ODI World Cup title, where they triumphed over South Africa in a memorable final that captivated the nation.
Family First: The Emotional Announcement
"My dad received a call from the President's House. This year, I'm going to receive the Padma Shri Award. I believe it's a very significant moment for me. I'm particularly happy that my parents learned about this honour before I did," Harmanpreet revealed in an emotional video shared by Mumbai Indians. Her words highlighted the deep family connection and personal significance of this national recognition.
Rohit Sharma Joins the Honour List
Alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, former Indian men's cricket team captain Rohit Sharma will also be conferred with the Padma Shri award. Sharma's leadership credentials are equally impressive, having guided India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados and the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, cementing his legacy as one of India's most successful cricket captains.
Mutual Respect Among Champions
Harmanpreet extended warm congratulations to her fellow cricketer, stating, "Many, many congratulations to Rohit as well. We have witnessed how diligently he has been working, and I believe this is a wonderful moment for him too." This exchange of respect between two of India's cricket icons underscores the sportsmanship and camaraderie within the national cricket community.
Dreams Realized Through Dedication
Reflecting on her remarkable journey from aspiring cricketer to national icon, Harmanpreet shared, "From the moment I began playing cricket, I've been dreaming about winning the World Cup, receiving the Arjuna Award, and then achieving the Padma Shri Award. This represents a very significant achievement for me personally and professionally." Her statement reveals the systematic pursuit of excellence that has characterized her career.
Padma Awards 2026: Comprehensive Recognition
For the year 2026, the President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards, which includes two duo cases. The complete list comprises five Padma Vibhushan awards, thirteen Padma Bhushan awards, and 113 Padma Shri awards, representing diverse fields of achievement across the nation.
The Prestigious Award Ceremony Tradition
The Padma Awards are formally conferred by the President of India during ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. These honours follow a clear hierarchy: Padma Vibhushan recognizes exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan acknowledges distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri celebrates distinguished service in any field of endeavour.
Sports Category Honourees for 2026
The sports category of Padma Awards 2026 features several distinguished names:
- Padma Bhushan: Vijay Amritraj
- Padma Shri: Baldev Singh, Bhagwandas Raikwar, K Pajanivel, Praveen Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Savita Punia, Vladimer Mestvirishvili
This diverse list represents excellence across multiple sporting disciplines, highlighting India's growing prominence in international sports. The inclusion of both Harmanpreet Kaur and Rohit Sharma underscores cricket's special place in India's sporting consciousness while recognizing individual contributions that have inspired millions of aspiring athletes nationwide.
