• Source:JND

Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur received the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Monday, May 25. The honour was given for her outstanding contribution to Indian cricket, especially after leading India Women to a historic World Cup victory at home last November.

At the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 6 Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri awards. A total of 131 Padma Awards have been announced for 2026, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. The remaining awardees will receive their honours during the second phase of the ceremony.

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Harmanpreet attended the event wearing a cream-coloured traditional outfit and proudly received one of India’s highest civilian awards. She had first been announced as a Padma Shri awardee earlier in January, adding another major achievement to her successful cricket career. Indian captain Rohit Sharma was also honoured with the Padma Shri, although he was not present at the ceremony.

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Sportspersons honoured with Padma Awards 2026

* Vijay Amritraj – Padma Bhushan
* Baldev Singh – Padma Shri
* Bhagwandas Raikwar – Padma Shri
* Harmanpreet Kaur – Padma Shri
* K Pajanivel – Padma Shri
* Praveen Kumar – Padma Shri
* Rohit Sharma – Padma Shri
* Savita Punia – Padma Shri

India starts preparing for Women's T20 World Cup

While Harmanpreet remains in India for the awards ceremony, the rest of the Indian women’s team has already started preparations in England for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins on June 12. Players like Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues are currently training in Chelmsford.

India's T20 World Cup campaign

India will begin their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. This tournament will be special for Harmanpreet as it will be her 10th Women’s T20 World Cup and also her first as captain. Last year, she became the first Indian woman captain to win an ICC title and now hopes to guide India to their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup trophy.

India to face England before T20 World Cup

Before the World Cup starts, India will play a three-match T20I series against England as part of their preparations. The team will also face West Indies and England in warm-up matches on June 8 and June 10, respectively.

India had a mixed start to the year. They defeated Australia 2-1 in a T20I series but later suffered a 1-4 loss against South Africa. Earlier this month, India announced their World Cup squad, with fast bowler Nandni Sharma receiving her maiden call-up. Radha Yadav and Yastika Bhatia also returned to the squad.


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