Harmanpreet Kaur Honoured with the Padma Shri
INTRODUCTION
In a proud moment for Indian sports, Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by President Droupadi Murmu. The prestigious honour was presented at the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on May 25, 2026.
The award caps off an extraordinary period for Indian women’s cricket and formally recognizes Kaur’s remarkable leadership and immense contributions to the sport.
A Historic World Cup Triumph
The Padma Shri honour comes on the heels of a landmark year for Harmanpreet Kaur. In 2025, she etched her name in the history books by leading India to their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title.
In a thrilling finale held in Navi Mumbai, the “Women in Blue” defeated South Africa to lift the coveted trophy on home soil. This monumental victory made Kaur the first-ever Indian captain to win a Women’s World Cup and only the second Indian skipper in history—after MS Dhoni—to secure a World Cup victory at home. The win was a poetic and defining moment in what was Kaur’s fifth World Cup appearance, putting an end to years of near misses on the global stage.
The Ceremony and a Statement of Elegance
Stepping away from her familiar blue jersey, Kaur arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan exuding grace and sophistication. She chose a traditional, relaxed-silhouette ivory kurta set with palazzo pants and a matching tasseled dupatta. The minimalist yet elegant attire, complete with subtle golden embroidery and a vintage-inspired wavy hairstyle, perfectly suited the grandeur of the prestigious occasion.
Gratitude and Pride
Following the ceremony, the celebrated skipper took to social media to express her heartfelt gratitude.
“This recognition is not just mine, it belongs to my parents, family, coaches, teammates, friends and every single person who supported and believed in me throughout this journey. Wearing the India jersey will always remain the greatest honour of my life, and I will continue giving my best for the country every single day.” — Harmanpreet Kaur
Earlier in the year, when the list of awardees was first announced, Kaur shared how special the moment was for her family, noting with joy that her parents received the call from the President’s Office before she even found out.
A Stellar Career in Numbers
Harmanpreet Kaur has been a pillar of Indian women’s cricket for over a decade. Her career statistics reflect her status as one of the most dynamic all-rounders and batters of her generation:
| Format | Matches | Runs | High Score / Highlights |
| ODIs | 164 | 4,541 | 7 Centuries, 24 Half-centuries |
| T20Is | 195 | 3,991 | 1 Century, 16 Half-centuries |
| Tests | 7 | 230 | Highest Average: 23.00 |
Fellow Sporting Luminaries Honoured
Harmanpreet was part of an elite group of athletes recognized during the 2026 Padma Awards. Joining her on the honours list were:
Rohit Sharma (Cricket) – Padma Shri
Praveen Kumar (Paralympic High Jump) – Padma Shri
Savita Punia (Hockey) – Padma Shri
Baldev Singh (Veteran Hockey Coach) – Padma Shri
Vijay Amritraj (Tennis) – Padma Bhushan
Harmanpreet Kaur’s journey from Moga, Punjab, to lifting the World Cup and receiving the Padma Shri serves as an enduring inspiration for millions of aspiring athletes across the globe.
Fantasy & Dream11 Focus:
If you are building your fantasy teams this season, Follow My Telegram Channel
For Final Team Joined My Telegram Channel
