The Padma Shri Award is one of the highest civilian honors of the nation, and many members of the Indian cricket team are the recipients of the prestigious award over the years. This honor has been bestowed on many cricketing legends, and is given to early eras and modern-day players who have helped bring cricket into the mainstream.
Cricket in India isn’t just about runs and trophies; it’s about creating and influencing public memory, national pride, and even identity for thousands of fans who love the sport. This is why awarding any cricketer with the Padma Shri Award is not just an official acknowledgment but rather an acknowledgment for the years of his/her commitment to the sport.
The Early Padma Shri Winners
The journey started with the Padma Shri Award being received by the first-ever Indian cricketer to receive the Padma Shri, Vijay Hazare, in the year 1960. He was followed by Nari Contractor in 1964, Bishan Singh Bedi in 1970, and Ajit Wadekar in 1972. These names belong to an era when Indian cricket was still finding its place on the world stage, yet these players helped lay the foundation on which future success would stand.
Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s finest opening batters, received the honour in 1981. Chuni Goswami followed in 1983, and Kapil Dev in 1985. Each of them brought something different to Indian sport. Gavaskar added stability to batting, Goswami epitomized all-round sportspersonship, while Kapil Dev helped India win the World Cup for the first time and thus became one of the most popular cricket personalities of India.
The Modern Era of Recognition
The 1990s and 2000s saw a new generation of cricketers being honoured. Dilip Vengsarkar received the Padma Shri in 1991. There were then Sachin Tendulkar in 2001, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly in 2004, and Anil Kumble in 2005. These players became the mainstay of Indian cricket for many years to come. These people became well-known across India for their performances, leadership, and consistency.
In 2009, the award went to M. S. Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh. Dhoni’s calm captaincy and finishing ability changed the way India played white-ball cricket. Harbhajan’s match-winning spells gave India many memorable victories. Virender Sehwag was honoured in 2010, and V. V. S. Laxman in 2011. Both were known for their style, courage, and match-defining performances. Jhulan Goswami, who received the award in 2012, stood out as one of the greatest fast bowlers in women’s cricket.
Women Cricketers In The List
The Padma Shri list also reflects the rise of women’s cricket in India. Mithali Raj received the award in 2015, and her name is strongly linked with consistency, leadership, and grace under pressure. Before her, Jhulan Goswami had already shown what long-term excellence looks like in the women’s game. Later, Harmanpreet Kaur joined this distinguished list in 2026, adding another proud chapter to Indian women’s cricket.
The women players have had a major role to play in transforming the perception about cricket in India. Their success has inspired a new generation of girls to take up cricket with confidence. The Padma Shri honours given to them are not just personal awards. They also mark the growing respect for women’s contribution to Indian sport.
Recent Honours And Final Names
The newer names on the list include Yuvraj Singh in 2014, Gautam Gambhir in 2019, Zaheer Khan in 2020, and Gurcharan Singh in 2023. Virat Kohli received the Padma Shri in 2017, further adding to a list already filled with legends. In 2026, Rohit Sharma was awarded the honour, a fitting recognition for one of India’s most successful captains and most admired batters.
Rohit’s inclusion feels significant because he has been part of Indian cricket for many years and has delivered at the highest level across formats. His presence alongside Harmanpreet Kaur in the 2026 honours list shows how the award continues to celebrate both men’s and women’s cricket with equal respect.
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Complete Year-Wise List
Here is the full list of Indian cricketers conferred with the Padma Shri:
1960: Vijay Hazare
1964: Nari Contractor
1970: Bishan Singh Bedi
1972: Ajit Wadekar
1981: Sunil Gavaskar
1983: Chuni Goswami
1985: Kapil Dev
1991: Dilip Vengsarkar
2001: Sachin Tendulkar
2004: Rahul Dravid
2004: Sourav Ganguly
2005: Anil Kumble
2009: M. S. Dhoni
2009: Harbhajan Singh
2010: Virender Sehwag
2011: V. V. S. Laxman
2012: Jhulan Goswami
2014: Yuvraj Singh
2015: Mithali Raj
2017: Virat Kohli
2019: Gautam Gambhir
2020: Zaheer Khan
2023: Gurcharan Singh
2026: Rohit Sharma
2026: Harmanpreet Kaur
