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Auction specialists to lead Star Sports panel for the Tata IPL 2023 auction
Mumbai: The IPL 2023 auctions will take place on 23 December 2022, 1.00 p.m. onward, and fans across India can watch all the action unfold live from the auction table on the Star Sports Network show “Cricket Live: Auction Special.” To provide fans with in-depth knowledge of auction strategies, player recruitment, and other topics, Star Sports has assembled a stellar team of widely acclaimed auction specialists who can share first-hand knowledge of what happens on the auction table with viewers.
A Star Sports spokesperson said, “This year’s auction panellists on Star Sports have been handpicked to provide the best insights to our viewers. These are some of the most proficient experts in the cricket domain, with years of experience not only on the field and in team management but also in technically sound auction strategies and tactics. Our English language feed boasts of names like Ian Bishop, who is arguably among the crème de la crème in the cricket world with an indelible profile that speaks volumes of his stature.”
He further added, “Tom Moody and Simon Katich, who were crucial members during the auction strategy of various IPL teams, and Aaron Finch, one of the most decorated cricketers in Australia, who has represented a record nine IPL franchises in his career. For our regional feeds, we have MSK Prasad, who brings with him years of valuable experience as the former chief selector of the Indian national team; L Balaji, who was one of India’s leading spearheads in his time and began his career in coaching with Chennai Super Kings; and Irfan Pathan, who has been the mentor-coach of the Jammu & Kashmir cricket team, which has the maximum representation in this year’s auctions.”
“Cumulatively, these legends of the game will be able to thoroughly analyse every auction strategy that franchises adopt and provide fans with a well-informed view of how their favourite team fared at the auction,” he said.
To enhance the fan experience, Star Sports will broadcast the auction in five different languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Former cricketers and experts such as Ian Bishop, Tom Moody, Aaron Finch, Simon Katich, and Mayanti Langer for the English feed will be among the panellists for the various feeds. Along with Jatin Sapru, the Hindi feed will include top experts such as Aakash Chopra, Irfan Pathan, and Amol Mazumdar. Lakshmipathy Balaji, Sadagoppan Ramesh, and Subramaniam Badrinath will appear in the Tamil feed, while Venugopal Rao, MSK Prasad, and Ashish Reddy will appear in the Telugu feed. Vijay Bharadwaj, Srinivas Murthy, and Balachandra Akhil will appear on the Kannada feed.
Star Sports also launched the “Election Se Selection” contest for fans across India as part of an initiative to bring fans closer to the auctions. Millions of fans entered the contest, and 20 of them, along with five super fans, were chosen to visit the studios for the auction day.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
