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COLORS and Rajasthan Royals unveil the first-ever winners of “Cricket Ka Ticket”
Mumbai: COLORS and Rajasthan Royals are thrilled to announce the two talented and deserving winners of the groundbreaking reality show “Cricket ka Ticket.” After months of fierce competition and unwavering dedication, Aditi Chauhan and Abhishek Batra have triumphed amongst the pool of 22 talented cricketers, earning an exceptional opportunity to showcase their cricketing prowess and fuel their passion towards the sport. Apart from cash awards for the duo, a mentorship programme for the winners and runners-up has also been initiated that would be spread throughout the year and will consist of cricket training by Rajasthan Royals’ coaches, health and fitness sessions with the franchise’s head physio John Gloster and strength and conditioning coach A.T Rajamani Prabhu, mental health sessions, and fortnightly catchups with coaches to track the development of the fresh talents.
Commenting on this occasion, Viacom18 head-branded content Vivek Mohan Sharma said, “At Viacom18, we are dedicated to crafting unique content formats and Cricket Ka Ticket stands as a testament to our expertise in that space. Our collaboration with Rajasthan Royals has resulted in a show with immense popularity making it an unprecedented platform for audience to connect with the franchise and the cricketing talent in this country. Combining the power of entertainment and a sport that is seen as a religion in this country has opened doors to a world of endless possibilities and impactful viewer connection with Rajasthan Royals and Colors and JioCinema as platforms. We congratulate the winners and are excited to see what the future holds for them.”
“Cricket ka Ticket” has been an unprecedented collaboration between COLORS and Rajasthan Royals to discover raw cricketing talent from across the country and has given the younger generation a stage on which they can demonstrate their talent and an opportunity to further develop their skills under the guidance and supervision of cricketing legends and top coaches. As the winners of the show, Aditi Chauhan and Abhishek Batra will be presented with the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to join established cricket clubs and franchises, rubbing shoulders with cricket stars, and receiving expert mentorship from some of the finest brains involved in the sport.
Rajasthan Royals chief business officer Alok Chitre, expressed his excitement, stating, “Our objective with ‘Cricket Ka Ticket’ is to reignite the lost dreams of thousands of Indians who want to play professional cricket at some point of their lives. Having witnessed the remarkable achievements of Aditi and Abhishek this season, we are delighted that the show has been a success, and has been able to offer both – a sense of hope, and entertainment – to its viewers. As during the course of the show, we are now continuing to offer the winners and runners up support through the best training facilities at our High-Performance Centre in Nagpur, guidance and coaching from our esteemed panel of coaches, which can help in their overall development and prepare them for a shot at a professional career in cricket. As we eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for them in the future, we are also grateful to COLORS, who have supported us in this initiative, and we firmly believe that this collaboration will yield exceptional talent for the future of cricket.”
Aditi belongs to a joint family where she stands as the sole female member committed to pursuing sports. Despite actively participating in local tournaments across the state, she has yet to secure an opportunity to represent her state team. This is primarily due to the remarkable talent pool and intense competition prevalent in Rajasthan. However, when Rajasthan Royals, in collaboration with COLORS, launched India’s biggest sports reality show “Cricket Ka Ticket”, Aditi found a path to advancement in her career, with a reward of 5 lacs and the opportunity to appear for trials at several T20 women teams. Despite a rocky start in the competition, the judges decided to believe in her and kept her as a contender. Former and current Royals players and coaches were heavily active in motivating and mentoring Aditi, as well as providing expertise on how to develop her overall game. She was able to recover and leave everyone surprised, and it was a life-changing experience for Aditi, who went on to win the show. Aditi will have the opportunity to work with the Royals coaching team for the rest of the year, which will focus on her overall cricketing and mental growth, as well as secure huge opportunities for her to give trials for women T20 teams.
Hailing from a banking background, Abhishek Batra’s story is particularly inspiring. Leaving behind the security of a stable job, he decided to chase his dreams and pursue his lifelong passion for cricket. Throughout the show, Abhishek displayed unwavering commitment and exhibited tremendous skill, making him an outstanding contender from the very start. Abhishek’s exceptional performance won the hearts of the esteemed panel of judges and of the viewers too. Upon Rajasthan Royals’ recommendation, Abhishek Batra prepares to embark on his professional cricketing journey as he joins the North Devon Cricket Club (United Kingdom) for their upcoming Devon Cricket League campaign. Abhishek’s transformation from a banker to a cricketer exemplifies the spirit of determination and passion the cricketing community seeks in the upcoming generation.
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.
