Padma Awards 2026: Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur to receive Padma Shri; Vijay Amritraj gets Padma Bhushan
The Padma Awards 2026 list includes major sporting names, with Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur set to receive the Padma Shri, while tennis icon Vijay Amritraj has been conferred the Padma Bhushan.
Top sports names featured in Padma Awards 2026
India’s Padma Awards 2026 announcements on Sunday, 25 January 2026, included high-profile sportspersons, with cricket captains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar named for the Padma Shri. The list also recognised tennis legend Vijay Amritraj with the Padma Bhushan, placing him among the most prominent sports honourees this year.
The awards are among India’s most prestigious civilian honours and are widely seen as recognition not only of individual excellence but also of sustained contribution and impact on national sporting culture.
Who else is on the sports list
Besides Rohit and Harmanpreet, the sports-related Padma Shri names reported include former India pacer Praveen Kumar and Indian women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, along with other contributors to sport such as coaches and athletes recognised for achievements and service to the field.
What the recognition signals
A large part of the attention around the list comes from the mainstream popularity of cricket and the growing visibility of women’s sport. Honouring figures from both men’s and women’s cricket in the same list also reflects the expanding footprint of Indian teams across formats and competitions.
The awards season also tends to spark broader debate about athlete development, grassroots pathways and the importance of acknowledging coaches, support staff and non-cricket disciplines alongside headline stars.