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Star Sports celebrates IPL’s 13th birthday with #CricketConnected
MUMBAI: In a special episode this week, Cricket Connected will celebrate the Greatest of All Time (GOATs) players and coaches of the Indian Premier League to mark the thirteenth birthday of the tournament. Hosted by Jatin Sapru, the episode will air on 18 April at 7 pm on Star Sports.
The third episode will feature an ensemble of experts – Danny Morrison, Kevin Pietersen, Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra and Irfan Pathan – who will be picking their GOATs from the most decorated among batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, coaches and captains along with a host of other prominent sports journalists of the country.
The broadcaster has also urged fans to pick their favourite IPL moment using #CricketConnected on Twitter and may even stand a chance to have their selections up for discussion on the show.
The experts on the show will be dishing out their thoughts on Brendon McCullum’s blockbuster of an innings of 158 not out against Royal Challengers Bangalore in what was a perfect curtain-raiser that kick-started one of the biggest sporting extravaganzas of all time. McCullum's blistering knock in the very first match of the IPL in 2008 propelled Kolkata Knight Riders to a crushing 140-run victory.
The cricket legends will also revisit the incredible story of Team India’s first-ever Test series win over arch-rivals Pakistan in 2004 that came under the astute leadership of Sourav Ganguly.
#CricketConnected is a non-live chat show to fill in the void left by the absence of live events. In times when the sporting world has been forced to press the pause button due to COVID-19, Cricket Connected has proved to be that medium where fans can connect with their favourite experts.
Each episode has segments that encourage fans to engage and interact with the cricketing legends. Segments such as “#AskStar” gives fans an opportunity to share their favourite cricket moments by sending their questions using #AskStar for the legends to answer.
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.
