Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Awarded Padma Shri | Padma Awards 2026 Full Sports List
The Padma Awards 2026 have once again brought national attention to India’s sporting excellence. Among the most celebrated names this year are Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur awarded Padma Shri, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to Indian cricket. Alongside them, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj was honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, cementing his legacy in Indian sports history.
Announced on the eve of Republic Day 2026, the Padma Awards continue to honour individuals who have brought pride to the nation across diverse fields, with sports remaining one of the most inspirational categories.
Table of Contents:
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, instituted in 1954. They are awarded annually in three categories:
| Award | Rank | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | 2nd Highest | Exceptional and distinguished service |
| Padma Bhushan | 3rd Highest | Distinguished service of high order |
| Padma Shri | 4th Highest | Distinguished service in any field |
The Padma Awards 2026 recognized achievements across sports, art, science, medicine, literature, social work, and public affairs.
Padma Awards 2026: Key Highlights
The Padma Awards 2026 stood out for their diversity and inclusivity.
Major Highlights:
- Total awards announced: 131
- Padma Vibhushan: 5
- Padma Bhushan: 13
- Padma Shri: 113
- Women awardees: 19
- Foreign/NRI/OCI recipients: 6
- Posthumous awards: 16
Sports personalities formed a significant portion of the honours list, reinforcing the growing importance of athletics in India’s national identity.
Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Awarded Padma Shri
The biggest sporting headline of the year remains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur awarded Padma Shri for their leadership, consistency, and historic achievements.
Both cricketers join an elite group of Indian sportspersons whose impact transcended statistics and trophies.
Rohit Sharma’s Journey to Padma Shri
Rohit Sharma’s Padma Shri honour is a celebration of a career marked by records, resilience, and leadership.
Career Highlights:
- Led India to ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
- Captained India to ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Retired from Tests and T20Is after achieving major milestones
- Over 20,000 international runs
- Known as one of the greatest white-ball batters in cricket history
Rohit Sharma’s evolution from a talented middle-order batter to a world-class opener and captain made him a natural choice for the Padma Awards 2026.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Historic Rise in Indian Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Padma Shri honour marks a turning point for women’s cricket in India.
Why Harmanpreet Kaur Is Special:
- First Indian captain to win the ICC Women’s World Cup
- Led India to the title in 2025, defeating South Africa in the final
- Aggressive leadership style changed the mindset of Indian women’s cricket
- Inspired a new generation of female cricketers
With Harmanpreet Kaur awarded Padma Shri, women’s sports received long-overdue national recognition at the highest level.
Vijay Amritraj Receives Padma Bhushan
Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj was honoured with the Padma Bhushan at the Padma Awards 2026.
Contributions of Vijay Amritraj:
- Former Wimbledon and US Open quarter-finalist
- Davis Cup icon for India
- Global ambassador for Indian tennis
- Earlier awarded Padma Shri (1983) and Arjuna Award (1974)
His Padma Bhushan honour acknowledges decades of service to Indian sports beyond just match results.
Full List of Padma Awards 2026 – Sports Category
| Name | Sport | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay Amritraj | Tennis | Padma Bhushan |
| Rohit Sharma | Cricket | Padma Shri |
| Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar | Cricket | Padma Shri |
| Savita Punia | Hockey | Padma Shri |
| Praveen Kumar | Para Athletics | Padma Shri |
| Baldev Singh | Sports Promotion | Padma Shri |
| Bhagwandas Raikwar | Indigenous Sports | Padma Shri |
| K Pajanivel | Sports Coaching | Padma Shri |
| Vladimir Mestvirishvili (Posthumous) | Wrestling Coach | Padma Shri |
This list highlights the diversity of sports honoured at the Padma Awards 2026.
Comparison: Rohit Sharma vs Harmanpreet Kaur
| Aspect | Rohit Sharma | Harmanpreet Kaur |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Men’s Team Captain | Women’s Team Captain |
| Major Titles | T20 WC 2024, Champions Trophy 2025 | Women’s WC 2025 |
| Leadership Style | Calm, tactical | Aggressive, fearless |
| Impact | Global dominance | Revolutionized women’s cricket |
| Padma Award | Padma Shri | Padma Shri |
Both leaders represent different eras and challenges but share a common legacy of excellence.
Impact of Padma Awards on Indian Sports
The Padma Awards 2026 reinforce the idea that sporting excellence is as valuable as achievements in science, governance, and culture.
Key Impacts:
- Encourages grassroots sports development
- Inspires young athletes
- Validates long-term dedication
- Raises global respect for Indian sports
The recognition of Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur awarded Padma Shri sends a powerful message about leadership and performance.
Why Padma Awards 2026 Matter?
The Padma Awards 2026 go beyond celebration — they document India’s evolving priorities. With cricket, hockey, para-sports, and tennis receiving equal respect, India’s sporting ecosystem looks more inclusive and future-ready.
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Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A):
Q1. Why were Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur awarded Padma Shri?
They were honoured for exceptional leadership and historic ICC title wins for India.
Q2. Who received Padma Bhushan in sports at Padma Awards 2026?
Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj received the Padma Bhushan.
Q3. How many sportspersons were honoured in Padma Awards 2026?
Nine sportspersons and sports contributors were honoured.
Q4. Is Padma Shri higher than Padma Bhushan?
No. Padma Bhushan ranks higher than Padma Shri.
Conclusion:
The Padma Awards 2026 celebrated not just medals and trophies, but stories of perseverance, leadership, and national pride. With Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur awarded Padma Shri, Indian cricket witnessed a defining moment that bridged generations and genders. Meanwhile, Vijay Amritraj’s Padma Bhushan reminded the nation of timeless excellence.
As India’s sporting journey continues, these honours will remain milestones inspiring future champions.
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