In a grand recognition of sporting excellence, Indian cricket captains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur are set to be honored with the prestigious Padma Shri awards. The announcement comes as part of the 2026 Padma Awards list, approved by the President of India, celebrating outstanding contributions across various fields.
Rohit Sharma, who led India to glory in the T20 World Cup 2024, and Harmanpreet Kaur, guiding the women’s team to the ODI World Cup 2025 victory, headline the list of athletes receiving the Padma Shri. Their leadership has inspired millions and elevated Indian cricket on the global stage.
Joining them are six other distinguished sports personalities. Bhaghwan Das Raikwar, a trainer in the Bundelkhand martial art form, has mentored over 1,000 athletes. K. Pajni Vel from Puducherry will be recognized for promoting Martial Arts and Silambam. Veteran hockey coach Baldev Singh, who has shaped over 50 international players, and women’s hockey star Savita Punia are also awardees.
Praveen Kumar, another hockey stalwart, and the late Georgian wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili, who trained Olympic medalists in India for two decades, complete the sports contingent. Mestvirishvili’s posthumous award underscores his lasting impact.
Meanwhile, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj will receive the higher Padma Bhushan. A dominant force in the 1970s and 1980s, Amritraj led India to Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987, defeated Bjorn Borg, and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024.
The comprehensive 2026 list includes 131 Padma Awards: 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri, with two dual citations. It features 19 women, 6 foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI recipients, and 16 posthumous honors. These awards highlight India’s commitment to honoring diverse achievements.