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JSW Sports signs 19 year old Rajasthan talent Kartik Sharma
MUMBAI: JSW Sports has added another bright spark to its talent line-up by signing 19 year old Rajasthan cricketer Kartik Sharma, a rising batter keeper who has quickly become one of domestic cricket’s most talked about prospects.
Sharma, born and raised in Rajasthan, broke into the state’s senior side only last year but has already shown a flair for the big stage. He struck a century on debut against Uttarakhand in the 2024 to 2025 Ranji Trophy and later topped Rajasthan’s charts in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 445 runs in nine matches.
JSW Sports chief executive officer Divyanshu Singh, said the youngster had earned attention through consistency and calmness far beyond his age. He added that Sharma’s ability to shift gears across formats at just 19 marked him as a player worth backing.
Sharma said he was grateful for the opportunity and thrilled to join an organisation that has helped shape several top athletes. He added that the support from JSW Sports would spur him to make the most of the crucial phase ahead.
The teenager will now tap into JSW Sports’ high performance ecosystem and athlete management expertise. He is currently with the Rajasthan squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with the side opening against Tamil Nadu on 26 November. With the IPL auction drawing closer, Sharma’s steady form has made him one of the names to watch.
JSW Sports already manages a mix of star and emerging cricketers including Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Axar Patel, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Suryansh Shedge. The signing strengthens the company’s wider push to nurture India’s next wave of sporting talent across disciplines.
Founded in 2012, JSW Sports is part of the USD 24 billion JSW Group and operates teams across football, kabaddi, IPL and SA20. Through its talent management vertical, it guides leading athletes such as Axar Patel, Jemimah Rodrigues and double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, while supporting more than 40 Olympic hopefuls through its training programmes.
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.
