Why did Rohit Sharma skip the Padma Shri 2026 ceremony? The real reason finally revealed
Why was Rohit Sharma missing from the Padma Shri 2026 ceremony despite being announced as an awardee earlier this year? His absence at Rashtrapati Bhavan sparked major fan curiosity and plenty of viral reactions online. Read the full story to know the real reason behind Rohit Sharma’s absence.

Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur were both named among the Padma Shri awardees earlier this year. However, during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, May 25, only Harmanpreet Kaur was seen receiving the prestigious honour from President Droupadi Murmu.
Rohit Sharma’s absence from the ceremony quickly became a major talking point on social media. As photos and videos from the event went viral online, fans began wondering why the former India captain was missing despite being one of the announced recipients. The curiosity soon turned into a wave of humorous reactions, with many fans linking the situation to Rohit’s well-known habit of forgetting things.
Over the years, several viral clips have shown Rohit Sharma forgetting personal belongings during tours and travel. From leaving behind his passport at a hotel to forgetting his AirPods at an airport, the Indian opener has often become the subject of light-hearted jokes among fans. However, there is no controversy surrounding his absence from the Padma Awards ceremony. Rohit Sharma has not been denied the honour and is still expected to receive the Padma Shri at a later ceremony.
Padma Shri 2026 ceremony: Harmanpreet Kaur receives honour as Rohit Sharma's absence raises questions
The Padma Shri 2026 investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan saw Indian women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur receive her prestigious national honour in person — but one name was missing from the event that caught the attention of cricket fans across the country. Rohit Sharma, who was also announced as a Padma Shri recipient for 2026, was notably absent from Monday's ceremony, sparking widespread curiosity about the reason behind his no-show.
However, there is no controversy surrounding Rohit Sharma’s absence. The Government of India usually conducts the Padma Awards in multiple phases, with recipients invited in separate batches for different investiture ceremonies. Reports suggest that Rohit was simply not part of the first list of attendees invited for Monday’s event and is expected to receive the honour at a later ceremony.
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Rohit Sharma had earlier expressed his gratitude after being selected for the Padma Shri. The veteran opener remains one of India’s most successful white-ball cricketers and recently added another major achievement to his career by helping India lift the ICC Champions Trophy title in 2025.
Why was Rohit Sharma not present at the Padma Shri 2026 award function? Official reason explained
There is no reason for concern regarding Rohit Sharma’s absence from the Padma Shri 2026 ceremony. The former India captain has not missed out on the honour and is still expected to receive the prestigious civilian award at a later investiture ceremony.
Rohit Sharma was not present at the first event because Padma Awards ceremonies are generally conducted in multiple phases, with recipients invited in different batches depending on scheduling and government arrangements. While Harmanpreet Kaur attended the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, Rohit is likely to be honoured during another ceremony later this year.
His absence quickly became a major discussion point on social media, with fans wondering why the veteran opener was not seen alongside the other awardees. However, the matter is purely procedural and not linked to any controversy. Rohit Sharma was recently seen playing for the Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026, where injuries disrupted much of his season. The former India skipper featured in nine matches, scoring 283 runs at a strike rate of 157.22 and an average of 35.38.
Cricket fans react as India's star batter skips one of the most prestigious honours of his career
Cricket fans were left momentarily puzzled after Rohit Sharma’s name was missing from the list of attendees at the Padma Shri 2026 investiture ceremony. Several supporters took to social media to question his absence, with many initially assuming something was wrong.
One user shared a post online and wrote, “Harmanpreet received the Padma Shri. Where is Rohit? Did he forget this, too?” The post quickly went viral on social media, with many other users joining in and reacting humorously to the situation. Here’s how fans reacted online.
Harmanpreet Kaur's proud Padma Shri moment — A historic day for Women's cricket in India
Harmanpreet Kaur added another remarkable achievement to her career after being conferred with the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday in New Delhi. The Indian women’s cricket team captain received the prestigious civilian honour during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Harmanpreet was recognised for her outstanding contribution to Indian cricket, especially after a historic year for the Indian women’s team in 2025. Under her leadership, India won their maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title on home soil by defeating South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai.
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The historic triumph made Harmanpreet Kaur the first Indian captain to lift the Women’s Cricket World Cup. She also became only the second Indian skipper overall to win a World Cup at home after MS Dhoni, further cementing her legacy in Indian cricket history.
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