Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Conferred with Padma Shri Awards by President

The Rashtrapati Bhavan witnessed a momentous occasion as the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred the prestigious Padma Shri awards upon several distinguished personalities from the world of sports. Among the prominent recipients were the stalwarts of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, whose contributions to the game have been recognized at the highest national level. The ceremony highlighted the stellar achievements of these athletes who have brought immense pride to the nation through their dedication and exceptional performance on the international stage.

Harmanpreet Kaur Receives Honor for Historic Leadership

Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was officially honored with the Padma Shri award on May 25. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in recognition of her outstanding service to cricket and her exemplary leadership. The year 2025 stands out as a landmark period in her career, as it was under her astute captaincy that India scripted history by winning the Women's One Day International (ODI) World Cup title on home soil. This historic victory not only cemented her legacy but also provided a significant boost to the identity and popularity of women's cricket across the country. Her role in leading the team to a world title has been a pivotal factor in her selection for this civilian honor.

Distinguished Sports Personalities in the Winners List

The list of awardees features 9 prominent names from the sports fraternity who have excelled in their respective fields. Apart from Harmanpreet Kaur, the recipients include Savita Punia, the dependable goalkeeper of the Indian women's hockey team, and Praveen Kumar, the Paralympic gold medalist high-jumper. The coaching community was also recognized, with veteran coach Baldev Singh being among the honorees. Other notable names in the list include K. Pazhanivel and Bhagwandas Raikwar. In a poignant moment, Vladimir Mestvirishvili is to be honored with the Padma Shri posthumously. On top of that, the legendary tennis player Vijay Amritraj has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, marking another high point for Indian sports in this year's honors list.

The Two-Phase Award Ceremony Process

The Government of India had announced the names of 131 Padma award winners on January 25, on the eve of Republic Day. According to the source, the announcement was part of the list released in January 2026. The distribution of these awards is being conducted in a phased manner. In the first phase of the ceremony, 66 personalities from various fields were honored by the President. The remaining winners are scheduled to receive their awards in the second phase of the ceremony, while this structured approach ensures that each recipient is given due recognition for their contribution to society and their professional excellence.

Update on Rohit Sharma's Award Presentation

While fans were eagerly anticipating seeing Indian men's cricket team captain Rohit Sharma receive his award on May 25, his name wasn't included in the list of winners honored during the first phase. It has been clarified that Rohit Sharma will be conferred with the Padma Shri award during the second phase of the ceremony. Although the official date for the second phase has not yet been announced, it's a standard procedure that winners who are unable to attend the first ceremony for various reasons are accommodated in the subsequent phase. Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the list of 9 sports stars for the Padma awards underscores his massive impact on Indian cricket and his role as a leading figure in the sport.