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India masters bowl over West Indies, legends hit IML 2025 for six!
MUMBAI: What happens when cricket legends dust off their gear and return to the pitch? Magic, nostalgia, and a fair few aching knees! Picture this: 50,000 roaring fans, Sachin Tendulkar leading like it’s the ’90s, and Ambati Rayudu smashing balls like they’re mosquitoes at sunset. Sounds epic, doesn’t it?
On March 18, India Masters proved age is just a number (unless you’re counting runs) as they clinched a spectacular six-wicket victory against West Indies Masters in the International Masters League (IML) 2025 final at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Rayudu dazzled with a sizzling 74 off 50 balls, while Stuart Binny calmly finished things off, sending the ball to the boundary as casually as ordering a chai.
BNW Developments, the tournament’s proud title sponsor, cheered from the stands, thrilled at watching their logo flashing on Sachin’s iconic jersey. BNW’s MD & co-founder Vivek Anand Oberoi was ecstatic, “The India Masters team has been exceptional in the International Masters League, and we at BNW are so proud to be their title sponsor. Both my younger brother and partner, Ankur Aggarwal, and I worship the God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar. To have the God of cricket wear our company logo on his jersey while clinching this title is an incredibly special moment. This has been a great month, as India wins two titles, The Champions Trophy and The International Master’s League. This is such a great moment for BNW, and it was amazing to see our brand all around the stadium and on television.”
Echoing these sentiments, BNW’s chairman & founder Ankur Aggarwal added, “Watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh command the field with such finesse and composure was nothing short of extraordinary. Their mastery, resilience, and sheer love for the game turned the final into a spectacle of cricketing brilliance. The India Masters delivered a performance that was both strategic and spirited, a testament to the depth of talent our country continues to produce. As proud supporters of this incredible journey, we celebrate not just their victory, but the ethos that drives them—one of perseverance, calculated precision, and an unyielding commitment to greatness. It is this very philosophy that fuels us at BNW Developments. Whether on the pitch or in the world of real estate, true excellence is achieved through vision, discipline, and an insatiable hunger to push the limits of what’s possible.”
Post-match festivities featured cricket royalty rubbing shoulders, with Oberoi spotted chatting with legends Sunil Gavaskar, Yuvraj Singh, and the Pathan brothers. Clearly, cricket and business share the same rulebook—play smart, strategise smarter, and always know where the boundary lies.
As the final match wrapped up, fans went home buzzing, having witnessed their favourite cricketers roll back the years. The IML 2025 was not just a tournament; it was cricket’s own blockbuster, showcasing the enduring charm and unbeatable passion of India’s cricketing heroes.
Now, who says legends retire? They just return with bigger hits and better stories!
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.
