Indian cricket witnessed another proud moment on Tuesday as former captain Rohit Sharma was conferred with one of the country’s highest civilian honours at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The recognition comes after an illustrious international career that has seen Rohit establish himself as one of the greatest white-ball batters in cricket history while also guiding India to major ICC trophies as captain.
The ceremony marked a fitting tribute to a player whose influence has extended far beyond statistics, inspiring generations of cricketers through his leadership, consistency and ability to deliver on the biggest stages.
President Droupadi Murmu awards Padma Shri to former India captain Rohit Sharma
Rohit was officially presented with the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The honour recognizes his remarkable contributions to Indian cricket over a career spanning nearly two decades.
The accolade comes on the back of a highly successful leadership stint that saw Rohit captain India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2024 before adding the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Under his leadership, India emerged as one of the most dominant white-ball sides in world cricket, ending a lengthy wait for major ICC silverware.
Apart from his achievements as captain, Rohit’s batting records place him among the greatest ODI players of all time. He remains the holder of the highest individual ODI score of 264 and is the only batter in cricket history to register three double centuries in the format. Before receiving the award, Rohit acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a respectful bow, while his wife Ritika Sajdeh watched proudly from the audience during the ceremony.
The Indian batting legend now joins an elite list of cricketers to receive the Padma Shri, alongside icons such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Rohit’s international career statistics:
- Tests: 67 matches, 4,301 runs, 40.6 average (12 centuries, 18 half-centuries)
- ODIs: 285 matches, 11,720 runs, 48.8 average (33 centuries, 62 half-centuries)
- T20Is: 159 matches, 4,231 runs, 32.0 average (5 centuries, 32 half-centuries)
His achievements also include two T20 World Cup titles, first as a player in 2007 and later as captain in 2024.
Here’s the video:
A highly prestigious honour for a great of the game 🙌
President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmuji @rashtrapatibhvn confers former #TeamIndia captain Rohit Sharma @ImRo45 with the Padma Shri award 👏
pic.twitter.com/6EyffHr1A4— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2026
Also READ: Mohammad Kaif gives his verdict on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s 2027 ODI World Cup chances
Rohit continues to remain a key figure in Indian cricket
While Rohit has retired from T20I and Test cricket, he continues to play a vital role in India’s ODI setup. The veteran opener recently played in the ODI series against Afghanistan, and is in the ODI squad against England. His experience will be invaluable as India continue preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle. Despite stepping away from two formats, Rohit’s influence on Indian cricket remains immense, both on and off the field.
The Padma Shri recognition further cements his legacy as one of the most accomplished cricketers produced by India. From becoming the only batter with three ODI double centuries to lifting multiple ICC trophies as captain, Rohit’s journey has been defined by record-breaking achievements and memorable moments.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin defends Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi after India A tri-series triumph
