Former India captain Rohit Sharma has been honoured with the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian awards, recognising his long and successful contribution to Indian cricket. Rohit described the moment as deeply special for his family and reaffirmed his commitment to winning matches and trophies for India.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed gratitude to the Government of India after being conferred with the Padma Shri, calling the recognition a significant personal milestone. The award acknowledges Rohit’s sustained excellence and service to Indian cricket across formats over nearly two decades.
In a message shared on X by Doordarshan Sports, Rohit said the honour motivates him to continue contributing on the field and helping India win major tournaments.
Rohit reflected on the journey behind the honour, crediting everyone who supported him from his early playing days to leading the national team.
"Receiving the Padma Shri is a very special moment for me and my family. I thank the Government of India for this honour. I am also grateful to all those people who have played an important role in my career. My effort to win matches and trophies for my country will always continue. Thank you. Jai Hind."
The message underlined Rohit’s belief that personal milestones matter less than collective success for the Indian team.
Rohit made his international debut in 2007 and has since become one of India’s most dependable cricketers. Over the last 19 years, he has contributed as a top-order batter, match-winner, and leader across Tests, One-Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals.
Known for his calm temperament and tactical awareness, Rohit has:
Anchored crucial innings under pressure
Adapted his batting style across formats
Played a key role in mentoring younger players
His influence has extended beyond numbers, shaping team strategy and leadership culture.
Rohit’s captaincy reached a high point in 2024, when India defeated South Africa in the final to win the T20 World Cup, ending a long ICC title drought in the shortest format.
India’s momentum continued under Rohit’s leadership with the Champions Trophy win in 2025, further reinforcing confidence in his captaincy on the global stage.
Alongside team success, Rohit has built an impressive personal record:
4,300+ runs
67 matches
12 centuries
11,500+ runs
282 matches
33 centuries
4,231 runs
5 centuries, among the highest in the format
These numbers place Rohit among India’s most successful batters across generations.
Despite retiring from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Rohit continues to feature in One-Day Internationals. With form and fitness intact, his clear objective remains representing India at the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The Padma Shri recognition therefore comes at a time when Rohit is still actively contributing on the international stage.
The Padma Shri honour reflects:
Nearly two decades of international service
Leadership during major ICC tournament wins
Consistent performance across formats
Long-term impact on Indian cricket’s evolution
The award reinforces Rohit Sharma’s status as one of modern India’s defining cricket figures.