Former India captain Rohit Sharma to be honoured with a Doctorate of Letters degree by Ajeenkya DY Patil University

Former India captain Rohit Sharma will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters (D.Litt.) by Pune Ajeenkya DY Patil University (ADYPU) in recognition of his contribution to Indian cricket. The honour will be given during the university’s 10th Convocation Ceremony, scheduled for this weekend.

The university had announced earlier that Rohit would be one of the main highlights of the convocation. The ceremony saw a star-studded gathering and was presided over by ADYPU President and Chancellor Dr Ajeenkya D. Y. Patil. The event celebrated people who have made important contributions in sports, culture, governance, and society.

In an official statement, Ajeenkya DY Patil University said the honorary degree was awarded to Rohit Sharma for his contribution to cricket and the values he represents.

“While fans know him as the ‘Hitman’ of cricket, today marks a different milestone for Rohit Sharma. By giving this Honorary Doctorate, ADYPU recognises the values of resilience and strategy that he shows – qualities that inspire the graduating class of 2026,” the university said.

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Rohit Sharma Shares Stage with Distinguished Awardees at ADYPU Convocation

Sharing the stage with Rohit Sharma will be several other notable awardees. These include Pankaja Gopinath Munde, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment, and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra; Sudesh Aggarwal, Founder of the Sanatan Dharma Foundation, honoured for his cultural contributions; Rashesh Bhansali, Executive Chairman of Goldiam International Ltd, recognised for his leadership in industry; and Manoj Pochat, a social entrepreneur, technologist, and strategic advisor.

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Rohit’s Leadership Legacy in Cricket

Before taking over as India captain, Rohit Sharma had already become the most successful captain in IPL history, leading the Mumbai Indians to five titles. His IPL success paved the way for his promotion to India captain after Virat Kohli stepped down.

Under his leadership, India played a more aggressive style of cricket, winning major tournaments like the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in 2025. Many young players credit him for creating a relaxed team environment, building trust, and supporting players to perform freely.

The Hitman of the cricket world has retired from Test and T20I cricket but continues to represent India in ODIs.