Sports
TOISA 2026 set for Lucknow on March 21
57th edition honours 2025 sporting excellence with star-studded jury.
MUMBAI: The Times of India Sports Awards just called Lucknow home for the night because when champions gather, even the city of nawabs wants a front-row seat. The eighth edition of The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA 2025) will take place on 21 March 2026 at The Centrum Hotel in Lucknow, celebrating the outstanding performances of Indian athletes from 1 January to 31 December 2025 across more than 45 sports categories.
For over a decade, TOISA has earned respect as the one night on the Indian sporting calendar judged purely on athletic merit. Recognised by federations, coaches and athletes alike, it consistently honours those who push boundaries across disciplines, regions and generations.
This year’s edition returns to Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh, a state that has steadily emerged as a powerhouse of grassroots talent in wrestling, athletics and beyond. Hosting TOISA here reflects the reality that India’s sporting excellence now runs deep into every corner of the country.
The jury for TOISA 2025 features six of India’s most decorated athletes Leander Paes (tennis), Mithali Raj (cricket), Abhinav Bindra (shooting), Devendra Jhajharia (para athletics), Sharath Kamal (table tennis) and PR Sreejesh (hockey). Their collective experience brings unmatched authority to the evaluations.
The Times of India chief operating officer Puneet Gupt said, “The Times of India has always believed that every champion deserves to be celebrated not just those the headlines follow most easily. TOISA was built on that conviction, and eight editions later, it remains the most meaningful thing we do in the sporting space. Bringing this platform to Lucknow this year is a reflection of where Indian sport is growing.”
Badminton shone brightly in 2025, earning ten nominations including Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, underlining the sport’s rising depth across singles and doubles, men and women.
Leander Paes, a jury member and Olympic medallist said, “TOISA matters because it notices. It looks beyond the obvious and finds the athletes who are quietly rewriting what Indian sport is capable of.”
Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, added, “An evening like TOISA reminds us that those sacrifices are seen and valued. It gives the sport, and the people who play it, a dignity that goes beyond trophies.”
With nominations already highlighting a year of memorable wins and record-breaking feats, TOISA 2026 promises to be the one night where India’s sporting heroes are seen, celebrated and remembered exactly as they deserve.
Sports
JK Lakshmi Cement named principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals
Cement maker’s logo to feature on team jersey for the 2026 T20 season.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets concrete, the partnership is built to last. JK Lakshmi Cement Limited has signed on as the principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 T20 season, marking a renewed collaboration between two organisations that share deep roots in Rajasthan. Under the agreement, the JK Lakshmi Cement logo will appear prominently on the back of the Rajasthan Royals’ match jersey throughout the season. The brand will also feature across team gear, in stadium signage and digital match day content, giving it strong visibility during one of India’s most watched sporting tournaments.
For JK Lakshmi Cement, the partnership reflects a long standing association with the state. The company has maintained a significant presence in Rajasthan for decades through its manufacturing facilities, distribution network and relationships with contractors, dealers and local communities.
JK Lakshmi Cement, deputy managing director Shrivats Singhania, at said the collaboration celebrates the shared heritage of both organisations. “Rajasthan has always been integral to our journey, shaping our identity and growth from our factories and logistics to the people and businesses that inspire us every day. This partnership with Rajasthan Royals deepens that connection, celebrating the shared values of entrepreneurship, performance and enduring commitment,” he said.
He added that the national reach of the T20 league offers an opportunity to showcase Rajasthan’s spirit on a larger stage.
Cricket continues to be one of India’s most powerful cultural connectors, drawing fans across regions and generations. JK Lakshmi Cement sees the association as a way to strengthen engagement with stakeholders ranging from homeowners and contractors to engineers, masons and dealers.
JK Lakshmi Cement president and director Arun Shukla noted that the journey of the brand and the team share striking similarities. “The journey of Rajasthan Royals is similar to ours strong roots in Rajasthan and a growing presence across the country. This partnership is also about honouring the people who work hard every day to build India, irrespective of the state they reside in,” he said.
He added that the association will help bring the brand closer to audiences, from individual homes in smaller towns to large infrastructure projects in major cities, while connecting them to the energy of the T20 season.
From the team’s perspective, the partnership strengthens its ties with homegrown brands.
Rajasthan Royals chief operating officer Alok Chitre said the team was pleased to welcome JK Lakshmi Cement as its principal sponsor. “We are happy to have JK Lakshmi Cement as our principal sponsor for the Rajasthan Royals 2026 season. It means a lot that a brand from Rajasthan is on the back of the Royals jersey. JK Lakshmi Cement is a natural partner because it has a strong presence in the state and beyond,” he said.
As India’s infrastructure and construction sectors continue to grow, JK Lakshmi Cement has been focusing on operational strength, innovation and long term expansion. Strategic collaborations such as this allow the brand to connect with wider audiences while reinforcing its presence in markets where it has long operated.
For Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, the deal adds another regional ally to its roster proving that sometimes, the strongest partnerships are the ones built close to home.
