Harmanpreet Kaur Receives Padma Shri After Historic World Cup Glory Ahead of Women's T20 World Cup 2026

May 25, 2026:  India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was honoured with the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday, May 25, 2026. The prestigious civilian award recognised her immense contribution to Indian cricket and her role in transforming the women’s game in the country.

The honour comes after a historic period under Harmanpreet’s leadership. In 2025, she guided India to their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title on home soil, defeating South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai. The memorable triumph made her the first Indian women’s captain to lift the World Cup trophy and only the second Indian skipper after MS Dhoni to win a World Cup at home.

Harmanpreet attended the ceremony in traditional attire and later changed into casual wear before reportedly leaving for the airport ahead of India’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.

A high recognition for a true champion 🙌

President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmuji (@rashtrapatibhvn) confers #TeamIndia captain Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) with the prestigious Padma Shri award 👏pic.twitter.com/JBSf3ys2Y8

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 25, 2026

India Eye ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Challenge

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to begin on June 12 in England, with England taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match. India will start their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

India’s remaining group-stage fixtures are scheduled as follows:

• June 17: vs Netherlands at Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds
• June 21: vs South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester
• June 25: vs Bangladesh at Old Trafford, Manchester
• June 28: vs Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

Harmanpreet has enjoyed an outstanding international career for India. In 164 ODIs, she has scored 4,541 runs at an average of 37.22, including seven centuries and 24 half-centuries. In T20 Internationals, she has amassed 3,991 runs in 195 matches, registering one century and 16 fifties. She has also represented India in seven Test matches, scoring 230 runs, including one half-century.

The Government of India had announced 131 Padma awards on the eve of Republic Day 2026, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. The government described Harmanpreet as “one of the most dynamic and impactful cricketers of her generation.”

Apart from Harmanpreet, former India captain Rohit Sharma, Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar, India women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, veteran coach Baldev Singh, K Pajanivel and Bhagwandas Raikwar were also honoured with the Padma Shri. Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj is set to receive the Padma Bhushan, while Vladimir Mestvirishvili will be honoured posthumously with the Padma Shri.