India Women’s Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur received the Padma Shri at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, adding one of the country’s highest civilian honours to a career that has helped reshape the profile and commercial growth of women’s cricket in India. The recognition followed a defining 2025 season in which Harmanpreet captained India to its first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title, a breakthrough achievement that elevated the women’s game to a new level nationally. Rohit Sharma was the only other cricketer included in this year’s Padma Shri honours list.
India is proud of you, Harman 🫡🇮🇳
Congratulations on being honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri 👏 pic.twitter.com/aSKJwM1Ai6
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 25, 2026
The ceremony took place during the Civil Investiture proceedings in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu presented Padma awards across multiple categories. Harmanpreet attended the event in traditional attire before receiving the honour in front of dignitaries and invited guests at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
World Cup triumph transformed Harmanpreet’s legacy
India’s victory in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup became one of the most commercially and culturally significant moments in the history of Indian women’s sport. Harmanpreet led the side to the title after India defeated South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai, ending decades of unsuccessful World Cup campaigns and delivering the team’s first senior global trophy.
The achievement also placed Harmanpreet alongside Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni as Indian captains who have lifted Cricket World Cups for the country. The title run came during her fifth appearance at the tournament and followed years in which India had repeatedly fallen short during knockout stages at ICC events.
Harmanpreet reflected on the recognition
In a video shared by Mumbai Indians after the Padma Shri recipients were announced earlier this year, India Women’s Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, “My dad got a call from President House. This year I’m going to get the Padma Shri Award. I think it’s a very big moment for me. And I’m happy that, you know, before me my parents got to know.”
Harmanpreet also acknowledged Rohit Sharma’s inclusion among the awardees. “Many many congratulations to [Rohit] also. We have seen how, you know, he has been really working hard and I think it’s a great moment for him.”
Recognition arrives before major ICC campaign
The honour came shortly before India’s squad regroups in England for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, where Harmanpreet is expected to again lead the side. India has been placed in a group featuring Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, with the campaign opening against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston.
Harmanpreet enters the tournament as one of the most experienced figures in women’s international cricket. Across formats, she has remained central to India’s leadership structure during a period that has coincided with the expansion of the Women’s Premier League, rising commercial investment in the women’s game, and growing international visibility for Indian players.
