R Ashwin Joined Elite List of Cricketers to Have Awarded Padma Shri; Know Indian Cricketers to Win in Last Two Decades

Over the past two decades, the Indian government has honored numerous cricketers with the Padma Shri award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the sport. In 2025, former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin became the latest recipient, joining an esteemed list of cricketing legends.

The Padma Shri, instituted in 1954, is India's fourth-highest civilian award, bestowed upon individuals for distinguished service in various fields, including sports. Since 2004, several cricketers have been acknowledged for their outstanding performances and impact on Indian cricket.

List of Padma Shri Awardees in Cricket in Last Two Decades (2004-2025):

Rahul Dravid (2004): Known as "The Wall" for his solid defense, Dravid's technical proficiency and consistency made him one of India's most reliable batsmen.

Sourav Ganguly (2004): As captain, Ganguly instilled a sense of aggression and confidence in the team, leading India to numerous overseas victories.

Anil Kumble (2005): A legendary leg-spinner, Kumble is celebrated for his ten-wicket haul in a single Test innings against Pakistan in 1999.

MS Dhoni (2009): Under Dhoni's leadership, India secured the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, marking a golden era in Indian cricket.

Harbhajan Singh (2009): A formidable off-spinner, Harbhajan played a pivotal role in India's Test series win against Australia in 2001.

Virender Sehwag (2010): Renowned for his aggressive batting, Sehwag is one of the few players to score two triple centuries in Test cricket.

VVS Laxman (2011): Laxman's elegant batting style was instrumental in several historic victories, including the iconic 281-run innings against Australia in 2001.

Jhulan Goswami (2012): A stalwart of women's cricket, Goswami's fast bowling and leadership have been central to the team's success.

Yuvraj Singh (2014): An explosive all-rounder, Yuvraj was the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup, known for his six sixes in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Mithali Raj (2015): As captain, Raj led the women's team to new heights, becoming the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket.

Virat Kohli (2017): Kohli's prolific run-scoring and dynamic leadership have established him as one of the modern greats of the game.

Gautam Gambhir (2019): Gambhir's crucial innings in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup finals were instrumental in India's triumphs.

Zaheer Khan (2020): A master of swing bowling, Zaheer was a key figure in India's bowling attack, especially during the 2011 World Cup.

Gurcharan Singh (2023): A respected coach, Singh has mentored numerous cricketers, contributing significantly to the development of the sport in India.

Ravichandran Ashwin (2025): An exceptional off-spinner and handy batsman, Ashwin's tactical acumen and match-winning performances have been pivotal for India in all formats.