India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her gratitude to her family, teammates, coaches, and fans after being honored with the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu. The award was presented during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Padma awards were conferred across various categories. Former India men’s captain Rohit Sharma also received the honor, making them the only two cricketers in the 2026 honours list.
Shortly after receiving the award, Harmanpreet took to Instagram to share an emotional message, reflecting on her journey from a young aspiring cricketer to leading India on the global stage. She expressed her pride and gratitude for the prestigious Padma Shri honor, attributing her success to her parents, family, coaches, teammates, and supporters who believed in her.
Harmanpreet extended her thanks to the President of India, the government, and cricketing institutions for their unwavering support of women’s cricket. She acknowledged the role of various entities, including the Sports Authority of India, BCCI, and the media, in recognizing her achievements and supporting women’s cricket. The India captain also expressed her gratitude to fans for their continuous support throughout her career.
Her recognition follows a significant period for Indian women’s cricket under her leadership, notably leading India to their first ODI Women’s World Cup title in 2025. The victory, achieved on home soil by defeating South Africa in the final, marked a historic moment in ICC events. Harmanpreet, in her message, emphasized the importance of the support she has received from fans and reiterated her commitment to representing India with pride and dedication.
