Harmanpreet Kaur expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, teammates, coaches and fans after being conferred the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.
The India women’s cricket team captain was among the distinguished sportspersons honoured this year, alongside former India men’s captain Rohit Sharma, with the duo emerging as the only cricketers included in the 2026 Padma awards list.
Shortly after receiving the honour, Harmanpreet shared an emotional note on Instagram, reflecting on her journey from a young aspiring cricketer to leading India on the biggest stage.
“Today, my heart is filled with gratitude and pride as I receive the prestigious Padma Shri honour. This recognition is not just mine – it belongs to my parents, family, coaches, teammates, friends and every single person who supported and believed in me throughout this journey,” she wrote.
“From a young girl with dreams in her eyes to representing India on the biggest stages, every moment has been possible because of your love, sacrifices and encouragement,” she added while sharing pictures from the ceremony.
The Indian captain also thanked the President of India, the Government of India, the Sports Authority of India and the Board of Control for Cricket in India for their continued support towards women’s cricket.
“A heartfelt thank you to the media, journalists and everyone who acknowledged my achievements and shared my journey with the world. Your appreciation and support have always motivated me to do better,” Harmanpreet wrote.
The honour comes during a landmark phase in Indian women’s cricket under her leadership. In 2025, Harmanpreet captained India to their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title on home soil, defeating South Africa women’s national cricket team in the final to end years of heartbreak in ICC events.
The triumph marked one of the defining achievements of Harmanpreet’s career and came during her fifth World Cup appearance for India.
In her closing message, the India skipper also acknowledged the unwavering support of fans through every phase of her journey.
“Thank you to every fan who stood by me through every high and low. Your love means everything to me. Wearing the India jersey will always remain the greatest honour of my life, and I will continue giving my best for the country every single day,” she wrote.