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Ricky Ponting joins Sky Sports for Investec Ashes
MUMBAI: Cricket legend Ricky Ponting will join Sky Sports for its coverage of this summer’s Investec Ashes, which will include a dedicated channel for the entire series.
As the most successful Test captain in history, Ponting will bring his insight to a BAFTA award-winning Ashes team, which includes analysis from Sir Ian Botham, David Gower, Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, David Lloyd, Ian Ward and Michael Holding. He will also be beside former teammate Shane Warne in the commentary box.
Sky Sports 2 will become Sky Sports Ashes for two months of non-stop cricket television from 1 July, giving viewers a week of build up before the first Test. Fans can tune into the channel wherever they are via Sky Go, and online TV streaming service, Now TV, to watch without a contract.
The channel will show every ball live from the men’s and women’s series. In another important moment for the growth of female cricket, this includes showing an England Women’s Test match for the first time. Sky Sports Ashes will also show daily highlights and classic clashes between England and Australia from the archives, running throughout the summer until 1 September.
Ponting said, “I can’t wait to team up with Sky Sports for The Ashes in England this summer. It’s still the greatest event in cricket and I hope to give all the Sky viewers the latest insights as well as having some fun with Nasser, Bumble and the team.”
Sky Sports executive producer cricket Bryan Henderson added, “We’re excited to welcome Ricky to the line-up. Having captained Australia during some legendary Ashes series, he’ll provide some fascinating views and help strengthen our coverage even further. Giving The Ashes its own channel means our viewers know there’s only one place to enjoy all the build-up, live action and analysis as the great summer of sporting drama unfolds. The famous contest always promises to offer fans some special moments and a great battle. I’m sure this series will be no different.”
The Ashes forms part of Sky Sports’ biggest ever year of live cricket, including the ODI series against New Zealand and every ball of the Women’s Ashes. Alongside the international matches, Sky Sports will also show every county, with live coverage of all three domestic competitions – the NatWest T20 Blast, the Royal London One-Day Cup and the LV= County Championship.
This summer’s Ashes contest is the tenth shown exclusively live by Sky Sports. Ball by ball coverage begins with the first Test at the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff on 8 July.
Fans will be able to watch the action live wherever they are on mobile, laptop and selected tablets via Sky Go. As well as daily live coverage, Charles Colvile and Bob Willis will be joined by a variety of guests in the studio on The Verdict show, giving their reaction to every day’s play.
The Ashes Event Centre on the Sky Sports for iPad app is back, offering live coverage and for the first time cricket fans can choose from up to 17 camera angles to watch the action. A dedicated microsite at www.skysports.com/ashes will offer all the news and analysis from our team of experts, as well as insight into the England squad.
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.
