Ravichandran Ashwin Conferred with Padma Shri by President Murmu
Indian cricket stalwart Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, by President DroupadiMurmu at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 28, 2025**. The accolade recognizes his exceptional contributions to sports, particularly his role as one of India’s greatest spin-bowling all-rounders.
Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, amassed 537 Test wickets (second-highest for India) and scored 3,503 runs in the format. His career highlights include the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy triumphs, along with the 2016 ICC Cricketer of the Year award. The BCCI lauded his “remarkable achievements,” emphasizing his strategic brilliance and match-winning performances.
Currently representing Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, Ashwin continues to excel domestically. His Padma Shri adds to prior honors like the Arjuna Award (2015) and inclusion in the ICC Test Team of the Decade (2011–20). The award underscores his legacy as a cricketing innovator, blending traditional off-spin with modern variations like the carrom ball.
The 2025 Padma Awards also honored hockey legend PR Sreejesh (Padma Bhushan) and Paralympian Harvinder Singh (Padma Shri), reflecting India’s sporting diversity.