BY SANDHYA DISSANAYAKE, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Image Courtesy: Internet
Former India captain Rohit Sharma was on Tuesday honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, during the prestigious Padma Awards ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to the veteran cricketer in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian cricket and his distinguished career spanning nearly two decades at the international level.
Rohit attended the second Civil Investiture Ceremony alongside his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, having been unable to attend the first ceremony held in May. Former Indian tennis star Vijay Amritraj was conferred the Padma Bhushan, while Indian women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia was also among the recipients of the Padma Shri.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) celebrated the occasion on social media, describing the honour as a fitting recognition for one of the modern era’s greatest cricketers.
“A highly prestigious honour for a great of the game. President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu Ji, confers former Team India captain Rohit Sharma with the Padma Shri award,” the Indian cricket team posted.
When the award was announced earlier this year, Rohit expressed his gratitude to the Government of India and acknowledged the support of those who played a pivotal role throughout his cricketing journey.
“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,” Rohit said.
Since making his international debut in 2007, Rohit has evolved into one of India’s most accomplished batters and captains, producing match-winning performances across all three formats of the game.
His captaincy era ushered in a successful period for Indian cricket, highlighted by the team’s triumph at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where India defeated South Africa in the final to end a long wait for an ICC trophy. He further strengthened his legacy in 2025 by leading India to ICC Champions Trophy glory, establishing himself among the nation’s most successful white-ball captains.
Rohit’s achievements with the bat have been equally remarkable. In Test cricket, he amassed more than 4,300 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries. His One-Day International career has produced over 11,500 runs and 33 centuries in 282 appearances, while he accumulated more than 4,200 runs and five centuries in T20 Internationals, cementing his status as one of the format’s greatest players.
Although he has retired from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Rohit continues to represent India in the ODI format and remains a central figure in the team’s plans. The veteran opener is expected to spearhead India’s campaign at the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup as he continues to add to an already illustrious legacy.
The Padma Shri serves as another landmark achievement in a career defined by excellence, leadership, and an enduring commitment to Indian cricket.
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