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India tour of Australia moves into second leg with 3 T20I matches
KOLKATA: Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN), the official broadcaster of India tour of Australia, is all set to air the three upcoming T20I matches between the two cricketing giants, from 4 December, 2020. The T20I matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on Sony Ten 1 in English, Sony Ten 3 in Hindi and Sony Six channels in English, Tamil and Telugu from 12.30 pm IST.
After a high-flying finish in the third ODI, where Team India handsomely registered their first win of the tour, the Men in Blue seem to have found their rhythm leading to the three T20I matches. The second white ball series will be a tight knit contest as both teams will take on the field with renewed focus and motivation to turn the tide in their favour ahead of the all-important test matches.
David Warner and Pat Cummins will miss the rest of Australia's white-ball matches against India, while D'Arcy Short has officially joined the T20I squad. Men in Blue will look forward to turn the series in their favour as they hope to bank on forms of some key T20I players such as Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammad Shami and Shikhar Dhawan among others. Australia are currently ranked number one in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings and with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled for next year, these matches will form a crucial part for both the teams’ preparations in this format.
The T20I will be followed by the much-awaited four test matches for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first Test will be a day/night affair, from 17-21 December at the Adelaide Oval. It will be India's first away day/night Test, adding historic significance to the contest. The other three test matches will be held at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground and the Gabba.
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.
