The Padma Shri is a prestigious award in India. It is the fourth-highest civilian honor, following the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan. The Government of India gives this award to recognize exceptional contributions by citizens in various fields, such as arts, education, science, sports, and social service.
As of now, 15 cricketers have received the Padma Shri, including well-known women cricketers like Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj. Recently, the government announced that Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur will be honored this year, 2026, on the eve of India’s Republic Day.
Rohit Sharma, the former captain of the Indian men’s team, led his side to win the 2024 T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet Kaur made history last year by becoming the first Indian captain to lift an ICC trophy in women’s cricket, leading her team to victory against Pakistan in the Women’s ODI World Cup.
Here’s a look at the Indian cricketers who have won the Padma Shri over the years:
| Player | Year |
|---|---|
| Rahul Dravid | 2004 |
| Saurav Ganguly | 2004 |
| Anil Kumble | 2005 |
| MS Dhoni | 2009 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 2009 |
| Virender Sehwag | 2010 |
| VVS Laxman | 2011 |
| Jhulan Goswami | 2012 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 2014 |
| Mithali Raj | 2015 |
| Virat Kohli | 2017 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2019 |
| Zaheer Khan | 2020 |
| Gurcharan Singh | 2023 |
| R Ashwin | 2025 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2026 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 2026 |
This award celebrates the remarkable talent and dedication of Indian cricketers. As cricket continues to grow in India, these honors inspire younger players to aim high. According to a recent report, cricket remains one of the most popular sports in India, engaging millions of fans and sports enthusiasts across the nation.
For more on Indian cricket and honors, you can refer to The Sporting News.
