Rohit Sharma joins elite India cricket company after receiving Padma Shri honour

India ODI captain Rohit Sharma added another milestone to his decorated career after being conferred with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award. The veteran batter received the honour from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a special moment in a career that has spanned nearly two decades at the international level.

The recognition comes as a reward for Rohit's immense contribution to Indian cricket, having served the national team across formats for more than 19 years. The Mumbai-born batter attended the ceremony alongside his wife Ritika Sajdeh and was seen greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi before receiving the award.

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Rohit honoured after nearly two decades of service to Indian cricket

The timing of the award made the occasion even more memorable for Rohit. June 23, 2026, marked 19 years since the Indian skipper made his international debut for the Men in Blue.

Since making his first appearance for India in 2007, Rohit Sharma has established himself as one of the most successful batters of his generation. He has led India to multiple achievements and remains the only player to score three double centuries in ODI cricket.

The 39-year-old has already retired from Test and T20 International cricket and now represents India exclusively in the 50-over format. Reports have suggested that Rohit intends to continue playing international cricket until the 2027 ODI World Cup, making the Padma Shri recognition a fitting achievement during the final phase of his career.

Rohit Sharma joins distinguished list of Padma Shri recipients

With the honour, Rohit became part of an exclusive group of Indian cricketers who have received the prestigious civilian award. Several legendary figures from Indian cricket have previously been recognized with the Padma Shri for their contributions to the sport.

The list includes former captains MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Kapil Dev, and Virat Kohli, along with icons such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Harmanpreet Kaur.

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Rohit Sharma's inclusion in that distinguished group serves as another testament to the impact he has made on Indian cricket. From a talented youngster making his debut in 2007 to becoming one of the country's most successful captains and batters, the Padma Shri adds yet another prestigious chapter to his remarkable journey.