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Rajasthan Royals swings for data gold with str8bat in its tech toolkit
MUMBAI: In cricket, the bat has always done the talking. Now it also listens, calculates, and serves real-time insight in milliseconds. Rajasthan Royals just made a power play off the field, naming str8bat as its official skilling partner for the 2025 IPL season. In doing so, the Royals have officially become cricket’s front-runners in the data game—bat sensors, deep-tech, AI and all.
This isn’t a fresh start but a next step. The Royals have been using str8bat’s camera-less bat sensor tech since 2019. Now, they’re going all in. The partnership elevates a backroom secret weapon into a headline strategy, making RR the first IPL team to embed this level of performance tech across scouting, training, and match prep.
“What makes this partnership meaningful is not just their cutting-edge tech, but how seamlessly it plugs into our philosophy of continuous learning and high-performance. Together, we’re building a model where every insight has the power to shape strategy, accelerate development, and unlock new levels of excellence,” said Rajasthan Royals CBO Alok Chitre.
Str8bat’s genius lies in its sleek, camera-free bat sensor—an innocuous-looking device that captures bat speed, sweet spot accuracy, back-lift angles and more, across every single shot. Think Fitbit for your cover drive. And it’s not just for net geeks: these numbers go straight into the Royals’ coaching playbook.
“str8bat’s real-time, data-driven insights allow us to spot micro improvements in technique while also shaping macro strategies that carry through from the nets to live matches. It’s not just about refining a shot—it’s about transforming a player’s entire approach to the game. This could very well be cricket’s Moneyball moment, marking a seismic shift towards data-led decision-making in the sport,” said Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour.
Over 25 million data points flow through str8bat’s platform every month, powering the dreams of thousands of players, from grassroots kids to pro cricketers with stadium-sized ambitions. For Royals, it’s now a must-have in scouting camps: every hopeful swings with str8bat, generating metrics that can nudge decisions on selection, auction picks, and player development.
“To be named the official skilling partner of Rajasthan Royals is an honour and a huge milestone for str8bat. What sets RR apart is their willingness to put data at the heart of their cricketing philosophy. Our tech doesn’t just enhance performance—it transforms how performance is measured, understood, and improved,” said str8bat co-founder & CEO Gagan Daga.
No other IPL team has embraced this level of integration—a bold innings for data disciples. As T20 cricket demands sharper innovation and smarter strategies, Royals are betting on numbers, not nostalgia. And in this match-up, tech’s not just a support act—it’s opening the batting.
“We’ve introduced a new language in cricket—one based on objective metrics and deep-tech,” added Daga. “With the Royals, we’re not just helping players train better, we’re reshaping how talent is discovered, nurtured, and elevated.”
Str8bat might not swing a bat, but it sure knows how to swing a franchise into the future.
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.
