Harmanpreet Kaur was awarded the Padma Shri in May 2026 for her outstanding cricket leadership. She captained India to a historic World Cup victory in 2025.
During a special event at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, May 25, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented the esteemed Padma Shri to Harmanpreet Kaur. This award recognizes her remarkable contributions to cricket as well as her leadership in steering the Indian women’s team to a groundbreaking World Cup triumph on home soil last year. In 2025, Harmanpreet Kaur made history by leading the Indian women’s cricket team to their first-ever ICC Women's Cricket World Cup victory, defeating South Africa in the final to claim the championship for the very first time. Harmanpreet Kaur has established an exceptional career marked by national honors, ICC accolades, franchise cricket achievements, and worldwide recognition. From receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri to guiding India to an unprecedented Women’s ODI World Cup win, the Indian captain has continually elevated the status of women’s cricket. Her accomplishments in leagues like the Women's Premier League and the Women's Big Bash League, coupled with global recognitions such as inclusion in BBC 100 Women and TIME100 Next, highlight her significant influence both on and off the field. In 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur was presented with the Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sports honors, in recognition of her outstanding cricket performances. She gained widespread acclaim during the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, particularly after her unforgettable unbeaten 171-run innings against Australia in the semifinal. This performance became one of the most iconic moments in women’s cricket and helped India advance to the World Cup final. Under her captaincy, India secured a 3-0 ODI series victory. Among the standout moments was her masterful unbeaten 143-run knock at Canterbury, widely regarded as one of the finest innings of her career. The Indian women’s skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, was included in the BBC 100 Women list, which celebrates inspiring and influential women globally. She was honored not only for her cricketing success but also for her contributions to advancing women’s sports in India. Harmanpreet serves as a role model for countless young girls aspiring to pursue sports professionally. Has Harmanpreet Kaur won the Padma Shri Award? Yes, Harmanpreet Kaur was awarded the Padma Shri in May 2026. All images used are for editorial purposes only. License solely with Getty/Source.