Padma Awards 2026: Rohit Sharma, Vijay Amritraj & Harmanpreet Kaur Honoured

New Delhi – India’s sporting heroes have been recognized with the nation’s highest civilian honors. The 2026 Padma Awards, announced Sunday, celebrate achievements in cricket, tennis, hockey, wrestling, and para-athletics, acknowledging both individual brilliance and dedicated service to the development of sport in India.

Honoring a Legacy of Tennis Excellence

Vijay Amritraj Receives Padma Bhushan

Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj is the sole athlete recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award. This recognition acknowledges his pioneering role in bringing Indian tennis to the global stage during the amateur and early Open eras. Amritraj previously received the Padma Shri in 1983 and the Arjuna Award in 1974.

Did You Know? Vijay Amritraj reached the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open twice each.

Amritraj’s career included reaching the quarter-final stage of Wimbledon and the US Open on two occasions. Beyond his playing career, he has served Indian sport in various administrative and ambassadorial roles.

Cricket Champions Awarded

Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Honored with Padma Shri

Cricket captains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur are among those selected for the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award. Rohit Sharma’s award comes after a significant leadership phase in Indian men’s cricket, during which he secured two ICC titles: the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Following the T20 World Cup victory, Rohit Sharma retired from that format, and later retired from Test cricket in 2025, while continuing to play in One Day Internationals.

Harmanpreet Kaur receives the Padma Shri following a historic year for Indian women’s cricket. In 2025, she captained India to their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa in the final held in Navi Mumbai. This victory made her the first Indian woman to captain a World Cup-winning team and the second Indian captain overall to win a World Cup on home soil, following MS Dhoni.

Expert Insight: The simultaneous recognition of both the men’s and women’s cricket captains underscores the growing prominence and success of cricket in India, and the increasing visibility of women’s cricket.

Recognizing Wider Sporting Achievements

Para-Athletes, Hockey Stars, and Coaches Also Honored

The Padma Shri awards also recognize achievements in other sports. Praveen Kumar, a Paralympic gold medalist in high jump, Savita Punia, the Indian women’s hockey team goalkeeper, experienced coach Baldev Singh, and K. Pazhanivel are among the recipients. Praveen Kumar won gold in the men’s T64 high jump at the Paris Paralympics with a jump of 2.08 meters. He previously won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics and topped the podium at the 2022 Asian Para Games.

Savita Punia, a key member of the Indian women’s hockey team for over a decade, is considered one of the best goalkeepers of her generation. She debuted for the senior team at age 20 and played a crucial role in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. She captained India to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a title at the 2022 FIH Nations Cup, and led the team to consecutive Asian Champions Trophy titles in 2023 and 2024.

Coach Baldev Singh is recognized for his transformative role in Indian women’s hockey, credited with strengthening the sport at the grassroots level. He has mentored over 50 international players and established one of the country’s most successful women’s hockey nurseries.

Posthumous Recognition for Wrestling Coach

Former wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili has been posthumously awarded the Padma Shri. He trained champion athletes for nearly two decades after arriving in the country in 2003. He previously coached the Georgian national team from 1982 to 1992. He mentored Olympic medalists Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Bajrang Punia, as well as Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya and world championship bronze medalist Deepak Punia.

A total of 131 Padma Awards were announced for 2026, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, recognizing contributions across various fields including sports, art, literature, and public service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the Padma Awards?

The Padma Awards are India’s highest civilian honors, recognizing exceptional achievements in various fields, including sports. They are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, with the Vibhushan being the highest.

Which sports were represented in the 2026 Padma Awards?

The 2026 Padma Awards recognized achievements in tennis, cricket, hockey, para-athletics, and wrestling.

Who was the only athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan in 2026?

Vijay Amritraj was the sole athlete recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2026.

As India continues to excel on the world sporting stage, what impact will these awards have on inspiring future generations of athletes?