In a heartfelt video message shared on social media, the former India captain thanked everyone who has supported him throughout his illustrious career.
“Receiving the Padma Shri is a very special moment for me and my family,” Rohit said. “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.”
Despite retiring from T20Is and Test cricket, Rohit emphasized that his competitive spirit remains undiminished. He continues to represent India in ODIs and is eyeing a spot in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad, reaffirming his commitment to contributing to India’s cricketing success.
Since debuting for India in 2007, Rohit has been a transformative figure in Indian cricket, both with the bat and as a leader. Under his captaincy, India claimed the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greats.
The Padma Shri recognition comes alongside other notable honours, including to ICC Women’s World Cup 2025-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Reflecting on the award, Harmanpreet shared, “My dad got a call from the President’s House. This year I’m going to get the Padma Shri Award. It’s a very big moment for me, and I’m happy my parents got to know before me.”
This year, a total of 113 individuals across various fields were honoured with the Padma Shri, with tennis legend Vijay Amritraj receiving the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.
