MAM
Celkon Mobile Cup trophy unveiled in West Indies
BENGALURU: Cricket, cricket and more cricket… Cricket lovers have never had it so good as this summer…. Starting with the scam tainted IPL Season 6, Indian cricket lovers saw team India winning the ICC world Cup Championship in the UK a few days ago on Star Cricket. Now Indian cricket fans are gearing up for another trophy: The Celkon Mobile Cup trophy – though of a smaller magnitude with just three teams – India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies face off starting tomorrow on Ten Cricket.
The Celkon Mobile Cup Trophy was unveiled in Jamaica by Celkon Mobiles ED Murali in presence of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) officials and all three team captains M S Dhoni, Angelo Mathews and Dwayne Bravo at a glittering ceremony.
Celkon Mobiles is the title sponsor for the tri-nation series which will be played in Jamaica and Trinidad from 28 June to 11 July 2013.
Speaking on the occasion Murali said, “Celkon Mobile Cup is something to watch out for and we are proud to be associated with tri-nation series as the title sponsor. In India Cricket is much more than just a sport that represents the passion and spirit that India truly stands for it’s a culture that connects youth beyond boundaries. We are proud to be associated with this game and are elated to continue our patronage and support for the game.”
He further added, “The sponsorship addresses our commitment towards building a brand that echoes the pulse of the younger generation. We sincerely hope that the event will be a truly memorable experience for all cricket fans.”
The television coverage of the entire series is being produced by Ten Sport and the broadcast TV partner in India will be Ten Cricket, The event will also be broadcast globally.
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Celkon Mobile Cup Schedule
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Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad
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Sabina Park, Jamaica
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Friday, July 5 – West Indies v India
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Friday, June 28 – West Indies v Sri Lanka
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Sunday, July 7 – West Indies v Sri Lanka
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Sunday, June 30 – West Indies v India
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Tuesday, July 9 – Sri Lanka v India
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Tuesday July 2 – India v Sri Lanka
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Thursday, July 11 – Final (1st place v 2nd place)
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Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
