Harmanpreet Kaur received the Padma Shri award in May 2026 for her outstanding cricket career and leadership in India's historic World Cup win.
On Monday, May 25, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented the esteemed Padma Shri award to Harmanpreet Kaur during a distinguished ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The accolade recognizes the Indian cricket captain’s significant contributions to the sport and her pivotal role in leading the Women in Blue to a groundbreaking World Cup triumph on home soil the previous year. In 2025, Harmanpreet Kaur achieved a milestone by guiding 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’s remarkable career is highlighted by a series of prestigious national and international honors, including franchise cricket successes and global acknowledgments. From earning the esteemed Arjuna Award and Padma Shri to steering India to a historic Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, the Indian skipper has continually elevated the stature of women’s cricket. Her achievements on the field and influence beyond it are evident through her performances in competitions like the Women's Premier League and the Women's Big Bash League, as well as global recognitions such as BBC 100 Women and TIME100 Next. In 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur was awarded the Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sports honors, in recognition of her exceptional cricketing feats. The same year, she gained widespread acclaim during the ICC Women’s World Cup, particularly for her unforgettable unbeaten innings of 171 runs against Australia in the semifinal. This iconic performance became one of the most celebrated moments in women’s cricket history and played a crucial role in India’s progression to the World Cup final. Under her leadership, India secured a convincing 3-0 ODI series victory. A standout moment was her magnificent unbeaten 143-run innings at Canterbury, widely regarded as one of the finest performances of her career. The Indian women’s team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, was included in the BBC 100 Women list, which celebrates inspiring and influential women worldwide. Her recognition extended beyond cricket achievements, acknowledging her contributions to advancing women’s sports in India. Harmanpreet has emerged as an inspiration for countless young girls aspiring to pursue professional sports. Did Harmanpreet Kaur win 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.