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Rohit Sharma dominates social buzz in India-Pakistan ICC World Cup showdown
Mumbai: Excited cricket fans set social media ablaze with posts and memes during the highly-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Interactive Avenues, a leading full-service digital agency and the digital arm of IPG Mediabrands India released a comprehensive social media listening report around the intense match which ended in a crushing defeat for Pakistan. Based on extensive data gathered from social media platforms and popular cricket forums, the report deep dives into highlights of the social buzz before, during, and after the match.
Interactive Avenues COO Shantanu Sirohi said, “The India vs. Pakistan match was one of the most talked about matches in this year’s World Cup tournament. Using best-in-class social listening tools, our Social team compiled a comprehensive report which unlocks valuable insights around player popularity and public sentiments, while revealing the most memorable, controversial, and heartwarming moments of the match.”
Here are some key highlights from the report:
Most popular players of the match:
● Powered by his electrifying performance, Rohit Sharma emerged as the most talked about player, with 674.3K mentions.
● Virat Kohli and Babar Azam were neck-to-neck for the #2 spot on social media chatter. Virat finally won the battle with 62K more mentions.
Most talked about Indian and Pakistani players:
● Among Indian players, Rohit Sharma was followed by Virat Kohli (364.8K), Jasprit Bumrah (129.3K), Mohammed Siraj (90.6K) and Shubman Gill (80.3K) on social media popularity charts.
● The most talked about Pakistani player was Babar Azam (302.6K), followed by Mohammad Rizwan (121.8K), Haris Rauf (65.8K), Shaheen Afridi (43.9K) and Hasan Ali (42.4K).
Fans heap praise on Rohit Sharma:
● Rohit Sharma drove 3.1 Mn engagement and received the most praise as an exceptional captain for field setting, bowling changes, highest number of sixes and more.
● Fans appreciated his becoming the first Indian to complete 300 sixes in ODI cricket along with his ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Umpiring controversy:
● Match umpire Marais Erasmus garnered 4.2K mentions and 10K engagements amidst fans’ accusations of not paying attention during the match and making biased decisions in favour of Pakistan.
Jersey exchange controversy:
● Virat Kohli gifting Babar Azam with a signed jersey after the match won 14.4K mentions.
● Wasim Akram slamming Babar Azam for the on-field jersey exchange got 3.4K mentions.
Sachin Tendulkar’s dig at Shoaib Akhtar:
● Sachin Tendulkar savaged Shoaib Akhtar’s pre-match #ThandRakh message after India’s smashing 8-0 win, garnering 41.7K mentions.
Player’s heartwarming gestures win hearts:
● Virat Kohli’s sign language communication with his wife Anushka Sharma garnered 11.4K mentions and 121K engagements.
● Rohit Sharma’s ‘fingers crossed’ gesture to his wife Ritika Sajdeh drove 5.8K mentions and 58.1K engagements.
In total, the match generated a whopping 1.5 Mn mentions and 9.7 Mn engagements, with 78 per cent of the social chatter from India, 9 per cent from Pakistan and 13 per cent from other countries.
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.
