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Sony Sports Network gears up for epic India-England showdown
MUMBAI: Sony Sports Network is swinging for the fences this summer with its all-out broadcast of the India tour of England, starting 20 June 2025. With a refreshed Indian side stepping into the cauldron of English conditions and legends in the commentary box, the five-Test series promises fireworks on and off the pitch.
From Headingley to The Oval, all five matches will be broadcast live across Sony Sports Ten channels, in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Whether you’re a cricket purist or a casual fan, there’s something in store—served up with regional flavour and expert insight.
Bringing the heat off the field is Sony’s formidable Extraaa Innings panel, featuring a who’s who of cricket royalty. In English, viewers can expect sharp analysis from Sunil Gavaskar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton, Harsha Bhogle, and Sanjana Ganesan. Hindi viewers will be bowled over by Ajay Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra, Saba Karim, RP Singh, and more.
Regional commentary comes courtesy of Tamil and Telugu stalwarts like Hemang Badani,Bharat Arun, WV Raman,Venkatapathy Raju, and Rakesh Deva, ensuring cricket lovers from Chennai to Hyderabad get front-row seats in their mother tongue.
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli recently retired, a new generation led by Shubman Gill will carry India’s hopes. The historical odds aren’t in their favour—India has only won three Test series in England, in 1971, 1986 and 2007, each under a new skipper. But the signs are there for another fairytale run.
It’s youth vs experience, tradition vs transition—and Sony Sports Network is pulling out all the stops to bring every ball, byte, and boundary to fans across the country. Game on.
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.
