India’s World Cup – winning captains in men’s and women’s cricket, Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, are set to receive the Padma Shri Award in 2026, recognising the immense contribution of them in Indian cricket. Both leaders are expected to join an elite list of sportspersons honoured with India’s fourth-highest civilian award, a moment that reflects not just individual excellence but an era of leadership and belief they have instilled in Indian cricket.
Rohit Sharma, one of the most successful skipper-captains for the Indian men’s cricket team, has managed to handle various pressure situations while captaining the team in important tournaments. Rohit Sharma is one of those illustrious players who, during his tenure of skipper-captain, has been applauded for wise game selections, senior member utilizations, and performances yielded during the crunch. Rohit, since his start, has managed to achieve two trophy victories for the Indian team, thus manifesting the golden age for Indian cricket.
The first one was the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, held at the Caribbean islands. The second edition of the T20 World Cup championship trophy was won by Team India with the guidance of its skipper Rohit Sharma, defeating South Africa at the final of the tournament held at Barbados by a margin of 7 runs. This ended the drought of ICC trophy in Indian Cricket world. The team unbeaten track record, fearless batting and bowling attack who even defends the lowest totals – represents the leadership quality of Rohit Sharma.
A year later, Rohit again guide men’s in blue to glory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, held in Dubai. India lifted their second Champions Trophy, after defeating New Zealand in finals at Dubai International Stadium. Rohit is not just leading the team, he is building a team who adapts the conditions, put opposition under pressure. It’s impossible to name two or three players who are shinning under him, whole team is looking like prides of lions who are ready to hunt.
Even in tournament where India failed at final stage, Rohit’s leadership remained impressive. He led a team which remains unbeaten throughout the league stage even in the semi finals, dominating the opponents with authority with bat and ball during the carvan of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Although India suffered a heartbreaking loss to Australia in the final. Leading an undefeated run to finals, Rohit Sharma’s consistency, intensity and collective performance still gets remembered.
Harmanpreet Kaur, puts a transformational brick for Indian women’s cricket. She became the first Indian captain to win a World Cup nearly after 50+ years at home, leading the team to glory at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Mumbai. Kaur‘s leadership marked a historic moment, not only for Indian women’s cricket but for Women in Indian sport as a whole.
She has represented India in five ICC World Cups, consistently carrying the expectations of Indian fans and team. Her journey reflects the the resilience, courage and fearless intent. As captain, and player she brought aggression, confidence, and belief into the squad, encouraging players to challenge established teams on the world stage.
The Captains won Padma Shri – Harmanpreet Kaur and Rohit Sharma
Indian women’s cricket, under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, is still prominent, valued, and competitive, especially after the success achieved in the World Cup held in Mumbai-a demonstration of years of progress, struggle, and perseverance. It wasn’t just the winning trophy but a statement that Indian women’s cricket was on the scene.
It would be befitting to present Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur with the Padma Shri Awards as two persons who changed the face of cricket in India in their respective spheres. The story of both Rohit and Kaur signifies excellence, leadership qualities, and above all, commitment to the flag of India. Jointly, they are two icons of Indian cricket: meek yet irresistibly bold, humble yet unapologetically ambitious.
