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Str8bat & Rajasthan Royals’ ‘Cricket Ka Ticket’ foster next-gen cricket players
Mumbai: str8bat, a consumer tech company in sports, focused on providing actionable insights for players looking to better their game, was a technology partner on Cricket Ka Ticket, a cricket reality show by COLORS and Royals Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals IPL Team.
The show, hosted by Mandira Bedi, was curated to unearth the best cricketing talent from across the nation. Twenty-two cricket players, both men, and women selected from across the nation, were chosen for the show. These players were shortlisted from thousands using the str8bat cricket bat sensor that supported judges by providing data-driven insights for players ready to turn their dreams into reality. The sensor was also used at various other levels of the competition to gauge the improvement levels of all players, while the mentors used the insights to help players better their games. The analysis and data provided helped mentors support the players by fixing their bat angles, bat speed, a 360-degree replay of their shots, and more without additional cameras.
On their partnership with Cricket Ka Ticket, str8bat CEO and Co-Founder Gagan Daga said, “At str8bat, we have always believed that you cannot improve what you cannot measure. We are overwhelmed to be able to make a difference in the lives of budding cricketers and help improve their game right from the grassroots level through our technology and platforms like Cricket Ka Ticket. The partnership with Cricket Ka Ticket and Rajasthan Royals has been a delightful amalgamation of what is to be the next generation of cricket players and will create a huge impact on the sports industry!”.
The show is available to watch for cricket fans around the world on Viacom18’s flagship Hindi entertainment channel COLORS and OTT platform Voot.
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.
