Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur received the Padma Shri at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi from President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, May 25.
The honour recognised her outstanding contribution to Indian cricket following the Women in Blue’s World Cup triumph on home soil last November.
The President conferred 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri awards at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
For 2026, a total of 131 Padma Awards were approved, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, with remaining recipients to be honoured in the second phase.
Before the World Cup, India will have their fair share of preparation when they face England in a three-match T20I series.
Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur received the Padma Shri at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi from President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, May 25. The honour recognised her outstanding contribution to Indian cricket following the Women in Blue’s World Cup triumph on home soil last November.
The President conferred 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri awards at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. For 2026, a total of 131 Padma Awards were approved, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, with remaining recipients to be honoured in the second phase.
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Harmanpreet attended the ceremony in a cream-coloured ethnic outfit as she received the prestigious award. Earlier in January, she had been conferred the Padma Shri, marking another milestone in her decorated career. Among other Indian awardees, Rohit Sharma was also conferred the Padma Shri, but was not present at the venue.
President Droupadi Murmu confers #PadmaShri upon captain of the Indian women’s cricket team Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar
One of the most dynamic and impactful cricketers of her generation, she led India to its historic first Women’s Cricket World Cup title #PeoplesPadma pic.twitter.com/Iuzu9326fh— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 25, 2026
Padma Awards 2026: Sportspersons Honoured
Vijay Amritraj – Padma Bhushan
Baldev Singh – Padma Shri
Bhagwandas Raikwar – Padma Shri
Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar – Padma Shri
K Pajanivel – Padma Shri
Praveen Kumar – Padma Shri
Rohit Sharma – Padma Shri
Savita Punia – Padma Shri
INDIA START PRACTISING IN ENGLAND
While Harmanpreet is still in India for the Padma Awards, her teammates have already set foot in England. Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and other members of the women’s team are currently in Chelmsford, preparing for the Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to start on June 12. India will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Off to Mission #T20WorldCup with the best support behind us
with energy, motivation and many good vibes #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/xMCBD4h0Rn— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 24, 2026
Harmanpreet is set to take part in her 10th Women’s T20 World Cup and her fifth as captain. Last year, she became the first Indian female captain to win an ICC title, and now has a chance to end India Women’s long wait for their maiden T20 World Cup title.
Before the World Cup, India will have their fair share of preparation when they face England in a three-match T20I series. Before the mega event, India will also face West Indies and England in two warm-up matches on June 8 and 10 respectively.
India started the year with a 2-1 series win against Australia. But they slumped to a 1-4 defeat in South Africa. Earlier this month, they announced their World Cup squad with fast bowler Nandni Sharma earning her maiden India call-up. Radha Yadav and Yastika Bhatia also returned to the Indian setup.
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