Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur to receive Padma Shri in the 2026 Padma Awards; father urges parents to encourage children to pursue sports
Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur was announced as a Padma Shri awardee on Sunday as part of the 2026 Padma Awards. She is among the current and former sportspersons included in the prestigious list. Expressing happiness over the honour, her father Harminder Singh Bhullar said that people across the country should motivate their children to take up sports so that they can bring glory to their families and the nation.
The 2026 Padma Awards list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awardees. Harmanpreet had earlier received the Arjuna Award in 2017. Following India’s historic achievements in women’s cricket, she has now been honoured with the Padma Shri.
Speaking to IANS, Harminder Singh said, “It feels very good that the government has announced my daughter’s name for the Padma Shri. Our request to the people of the country is that they should give their children opportunities to move ahead—both in sports and education. In this way, their children will also bring glory to their families and the nation. It is a matter of great pride for us that my daughter’s name has been included among the 131 awardees.”
When asked about the possibility of any promotion from the Punjab government, he said, “Only if the Punjab government organises a function will it be known whether my daughter will get a promotion or not. So far, no date has been announced. Her matches will continue until March.”
As captain, Harmanpreet Kaur guided the Indian women’s team through a phase of transition and growth, placing emphasis on aggressive cricket, fitness and self-belief. During the 2023–24 season, India created history in Test cricket under her leadership by registering emphatic home victories against England and Australia.
Under Harmanpreet’s captaincy, India reached several ICC finals and eventually clinched their maiden ICC title by winning the Women’s ODI World Cup at home. India defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, ending a long wait for an ICC trophy and further cementing Harmanpreet Kaur’s legacy in Indian women’s cricket.