New Delhi, June 23: Former captain of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket over the past two decades. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to Sharma on Tuesday evening at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Rohit Sharma is regarded as one of the finest opening batsmen in modern cricket. He has delivered remarkable performances in all three formats, showcasing his batting and leadership skills. Starting his career as a middle-order batsman, Rohit transitioned to an opening role in 2013 and has since established himself as one of the greatest openers in the game.
Sharma made his international debut on June 23, 2007, in an ODI against Ireland. He received the Padma Shri exactly 19 years after his debut. He also debuted in T20s on September 19, 2007, and in Tests in November 2013.
Having retired from Tests and T20s, Rohit has played 67 Tests, 285 ODIs, and 159 T20s in his career. He has scored 4,301 runs in Tests with 12 centuries, 11,720 runs in ODIs with 33 centuries and 62 half-centuries, and 4,231 runs in T20s with 5 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
Rohit holds the record for the most double centuries in ODI cricket (3) and the most sixes in international cricket (653). His extraordinary ability to hit sixes has earned him the nickname “Hitman.” He also holds the record for the highest individual score in ODI cricket, which is 264.
Following MS Dhoni, Rohit is India’s most successful captain. Under his leadership, India has won the Asia Cup, the T20 World Cup 2024, and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He also led the Indian team to the final of the ODI World Cup 2023.
In addition to Rohit, President Droupadi Murmu also honored former tennis player Vijay Amritraj with the Padma Bhushan and Indian women’s hockey team goalkeeper Savita Punia with the Padma Shri.
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