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Punjab Kings ropes in Sahiba Bali as digital diva for IPL 2025 backstage buzz
MUMBAI: The Punjab Kings just made their most charming signing yet—and no, it’s not another overseas all-rounder. It’s Sahiba Bali, the internet’s current darling and your new favourite face behind the camera. In a savvy power move, the IPL franchise has officially brought her on board as their marketing and digital content curator for the 2025 season. This isn’t just another collab—this one brings spice, sass, and solid fan engagement to the PBKS playbook.
Bali’s got the golden ticket to go behind the scenes, giving fans a front-row seat to the fun, chaos and locker-room gossip you won’t find in match reports. As part of this glamorous gig, she headlines the freshly minted digital segment, Kandid with Kings ft. Sahiba Bali, where she dishes out candid conversations, quirky challenges, and unfiltered BTS drama with the squad.
“With my love for cricket, brand building, and content creation, this just seemed natural. Punjab has been the original IPL team – they had never won a title, but this year, I have a strong feeling about winning. Grateful to Satish Menon, the owners, and Saurabh from PBKS for trusting me with this,” said Bali, sounding like she’s manifesting a trophy while managing hashtags.
In a reel that’s already got fans double-tapping, Bali is seen bantering with the boys—Shreyas Iyer, Harshdeep Singh, and Shashank Singh. And in a moment that’s already being replayed on loop, Iyer cheekily called her a ‘lucky mascot’.
That’s right. Forget the form guide—PBKS might just be banking on Bali to turn their trophy luck around.
PBKS has clearly cracked the code: cricket + content + charisma = fan frenzy. And with Bali at the centre of this season’s digital storm, the team’s off-field game might just outscore the scoreboard.
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.
