New Delhi: Celebrated Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur have been named recipients of the prestigious Padma Shri award. Both players, who led India to major World Cup victories, will be honoured alongside six other sports personalities. Additionally, veteran tennis legend Vijay Amritraj will be bestowed with the Padma Bhushan award for his outstanding contributions to Indian sports.
For the year 2026, the President of India has approved a total of 131 Padma awards, which include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honours. Among the awardees, 19 are women, six belong to the foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 16 awards have been given posthumously.
Padma Shri Awardees in Sports
Rohit Sharma, who captained the Indian cricket team to the ICC T20 World Cup title in 2024, and Harmanpreet Kaur, who led the Indian women’s cricket team to victory in the 2025 ODI World Cup, are key recipients this year. Other notable sports personalities receiving the Padma Shri include Bundeli martial arts trainer Bhagwandas Raikwar, credited with training over 1,000 players, and K. Pazhani Vel from Puducherry, recognised for promoting the traditional martial art of Silambam.
Experienced hockey coach Baldev Singh, who has mentored more than 50 international players, will also be honoured. Posthumous recognition has been given to Georgian wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili, who dedicated two decades to training Indian athletes and producing Olympic medalists. Female hockey player Savita Punia and wrestler Praveen Kumar are among the other awardees in this category.
Vijay Amritraj to Receive Padma Bhushan
Vijay Amritraj, a dominant figure in Indian tennis during the 1970s and 1980s, has been selected for the Padma Bhushan award. Amritraj led India to the Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2024. He is renowned for victories over tennis greats such as Björn Borg, marking a significant era in Indian tennis history.
Recognition Reflects Excellence and Dedication
The Padma awards for 2026 highlight extraordinary achievements across various sports disciplines. The honours recognise the dedication, expertise, and impact these individuals have had in their respective fields, inspiring future generations of Indian athletes.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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