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Alastair Cook returns to the crease for Easemytrip WCL glory
MUMBAI: Sir Alastair Cook is dusting off his cricket whites and stepping back onto the pitch, marking a historic return to competitive cricket. The legendary English batsman will join the England Champions squad for the Easemytrip World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, set to take place at Edgbaston this July.
Cook, who retired from international cricket in 2018 as England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, will reunite with his former teammate and captain Eoin Morgan, who is set to lead the England Champions in the highly anticipated tournament.
Alastair Cook said, “It is great to be back playing for my country. I am really looking forward to being back on the field with Eoin and the other guys. The EaseMyTrip World Championship of Legends is providing the chance to be back involved with cricket at its best. I can’t wait!”
Easemytrip WCL founder and CEO Harshit Tomar said, “Having a player of Sir Alastair Cook’s caliber join the Easemytrip World Championship of Legends will be a tremendous boost for the tournament. His legendary status will undoubtedly elevate the competition and bring immense value to the England Champions team.”
“Sir Cook’s decision to return to cricket through the Easemytrip WCL platform demonstrates the tournament’s growing prestige and appeal to cricket icons worldwide,” Harshit Tomar added.
England Champions owner Praveen Sharma said, “This is more than just a team announcement, it’s history in motion. With Cook and Morgan at the helm, England Champions is ready to take the Easemytrip WCL by storm.”
Captain Eoin Morgan welcomed Cook saying, “Having Alastair back is not just about cricket, it’s about camaraderie, history, and creating new memories. We’re not just playing the game, we’re honoring it.”
Easemytrip chairman and founder and Easemytrip WCL chief patron Nishant Pitti said, “We are thrilled to witness the return of Sir Alastair Cook to international cricket through the Easemytrip World Championship of Legends. His participation, alongside other cricket icons, perfectly aligns with our vision of supporting world-class sporting events that bring joy to millions of fans globally.”
Cook’s career record speaks for itself, 161 Test matches, 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and 33 centuries, securing his place among the game’s greats. His return to competitive cricket is set to be a spectacle, reigniting old rivalries and bringing back the elegance of his batting to the global stage.
As the Easemytrip World Championship of Legends gears up for its July showdown, Cook’s comeback ensures that this tournament will be more than just a nostalgic trip, it will be a thrilling contest of cricketing giants reliving their glory days.
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.
