Tag: Sunil Gavaskar

Breakfast’s back on the pitch with Season 9 serve

MUMBAI: The toast of cricket talk shows is back, and it’s serving fresh stories with a side of wit. Oaktree Sports has announced the return of Breakfast with Champions for its much-awaited ninth season, hosted by the ever-charming Gaurav Kapur.

Presented by Pop UPI and styled by Peter England, the new season premieres this October exclusively on Youtube, promising more laughter, locker-room confessions and heart behind the hustle.

From Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya to Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Gavaskar, the show has already dished out some of the sport’s most unguarded conversations. This season, it’s going beyond the boundary, with cricketing stars joined by champions from other arenas, starting with Abhishek Sharma.

“Every season of Breakfast with Champions has grown in scale and soul,” said Oaktree Sports founder Gaurav Kapur. “What began as casual chats has become a celebration of the human side of sport.”

Pop UPI founder Bhargav Errangi added, “Just like our Popcoins reward loyalty, Breakfast with Champions rewards its audience with authenticity. It’s all about consistency and excellence, just like champions themselves.”

Adding polish to the table, Peter England steps in as wardrobe partner with its sleek Gentlemen’s league collection, while brand strategy firm Next Narrative ensures the storytelling remains top-tier.

With a power-packed guest list, sharp humour and plenty of heart, Breakfast with Champions – Season 9 is all set to remind fans why mornings with Gaurav Kapur are the most entertaining meal in sport.

October 4, 2025
Sony swings for six with full throttle Asia Cup 2025 broadcast blitz

MUMBAI: Cricket’s continental carnival is back, and Sony Sports Network is rolling out the red carpet. Starting 9 September in the UAE, the Asia Cup 2025 returns for its 17th edition with eight teams India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, all chasing bragging rights before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

For Indian fans, the excitement begins with India’s opener against hosts UAE on 10 September, followed by a series of high-stakes encounters through the Super Four stage and the grand finale on 28 September. Every ball, boundary, and bouncer will be available live across Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on Sony Liv, with commentary in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu ensuring fans can cheer in their mother tongue.

And that’s not all. The iconic Extraaa Innings T20 makes a comeback, bringing with it a line-up of cricket royalty and sharp-tongued analysts. Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Sanjay Manjrekar, Robin Uthappa, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Russel Arnold, Simon Doull and more will headline the World Feed in English. Hindi viewers get the firepower of Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, and Ajay Jadeja, while regional fans are not left behind Tamil coverage boasts WV Raman and Bharat Arun, and Telugu commentary features stalwarts like Venkatapathy Raju and Venugopal Rao.

Sony chief revenue officer Rajesh Kaul underlined the network’s vision: “The Asia Cup represents not just a battle for supremacy but a fusion of history, culture, and aspiration. With our #RagRagMeinBharat campaign, we’re making world-class cricket accessible from the remotest villages to the busiest metros.”

On the cricketing front, legends are already buzzing about India’s prospects under new captain Surya Kumar Yadav, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Sunil Gavaskar hailed the side as a “blend of tenacity and experience” while Ravi Shastri dubbed it the “perfect mix of experience and potential,” spotlighting stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and Harshit Rana.

With 8 nations, 1 trophy, 20 days of action, and commentary in 4 languages, Sony’s coverage of the Asia Cup 2025 looks set to bowl over fans before the World Cup even begins.

September 8, 2025
Sony Sports Network gears up for epic India-England showdown

MUMBAI: Sony Sports Network is swinging for the fences this summer with its all-out broadcast of the India tour of England, starting 20 June 2025. With a refreshed Indian side stepping into the cauldron of English conditions and legends in the commentary box, the five-Test series promises fireworks on and off the pitch.

From Headingley to The Oval, all five matches will be broadcast live across Sony Sports Ten channels, in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Whether you’re a cricket purist or a casual fan, there’s something in store—served up with regional flavour and expert insight.

Bringing the heat off the field is Sony’s formidable Extraaa Innings panel, featuring a who’s who of cricket royalty. In English, viewers can expect sharp analysis from Sunil Gavaskar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Michael Vaughan, Nasser Hussain, Mike Atherton, Harsha Bhogle, and Sanjana Ganesan. Hindi viewers will be bowled over by Ajay Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra, Saba Karim, RP Singh, and more.

Regional commentary comes courtesy of Tamil and Telugu stalwarts like Hemang Badani,Bharat Arun, WV Raman,Venkatapathy Raju, and Rakesh Deva, ensuring cricket lovers from Chennai to Hyderabad get front-row seats in their mother tongue.

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli recently retired, a new generation led by Shubman Gill will carry India’s hopes. The historical odds aren’t in their favour—India has only won three Test series in England, in 1971, 1986 and 2007, each under a new skipper. But the signs are there for another fairytale run.

It’s youth vs experience, tradition vs transition—and Sony Sports Network is pulling out all the stops to bring every ball, byte, and boundary to fans across the country. Game on.

June 10, 2025
Test and furious India heads to England with grit glory and a new guard

MUMBAI: It’s no longer just about technique and turf, it’s about taming old ghosts with new fire. Sony Sports Network is set to bring viewers the cricketing showdown of the year, the India tour of England 2025, a five-Test epic that kicks off June 20. Played on iconic English grounds like Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford, the series carries weight not just on the scoreboard, but in the psyche of Indian cricket.

What makes this tour doubly dramatic? It’s the first major Test series in a post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era. With a fresh captain and a young, fearless squad at the helm, Team India is ready to challenge a century-long struggle India has only clinched 3 out of 19 Test series in England. This time, they arrive armed with swagger, skill, and a new spirit: ‘Naya India, Dhaakad India’.

“The India tour of England will be a ‘test’ in the truest sense of the word… With ‘Naya India, Dhaakad India’, we are celebrating the courage and determination of this new generation… Sony Sports Network aims to rally the nation behind Team India as they embark on this crucial Test series,” said Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer for distribution & international business and head for sports business Rajesh Kaul.

Adding his voice to the call is Cheteshwar Pujara, who noted, “With a young and dynamic squad, this tour represents a significant turning point for Indian cricket… I look forward to witnessing how this group rises to the occasion.”

For Irfan Pathan, the series isn’t just about stats, it’s about seizing the stage: “Ground Tumhara, Jeet Hamari perfectly captures the fearless attitude… I am confident this team has the talent and determination to take on the toughest challenges.”

To amplify the buzz, Sony Sports Network has launched ‘Ground Tumhara, Jeet Hamari’, a fiery, animated campaign packed with emotion and edge. One standout film features iconic captains Ajit Wadekar, Kapil Dev, and Rahul Dravid reflecting on their rare Test triumphs on English soil reminding fans just how elusive victory here has been.

Another short, ‘Fury in Harmony – Bumrah’, taps into Jasprit Bumrah’s explosive spell from the 2020-21 series, reinforcing the visceral thrill of red-ball cricket. And in a not-yet-aired third film titled ‘Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki’, set to the iconic 1984 Bollywood song, cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan join forces with English stars like Mark Wood and Harry Brook to dramatise the rivalry and resistance India faces in England.

With more than just points on the line, this tour is a statement of intent from a resurgent Indian side determined to rewrite Test history on England’s toughest pitches.

Catch every ball, every twist, and every cheer Live starting 20 June 2025, only on Sony Sports Network. Because this time, the turf might be theirs but the win? That’s ours to take.

May 28, 2025
JioStar hits it out of the park with planned Champions Trophy 2025 coverage

MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is set for a return, and JioStar Network is pulling out all the stops to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience. From 19 February 2025, cricket fans will witness the world’s top eight teams battle it out with cutting-edge broadcast innovations across television and digital platforms.

JioHotStar will be offering live streaming in 16 feeds across nine languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. This marks the first-ever ICC tournament to be streamed at such a scale, ensuring cricket fans across India can enjoy the action in their preferred language. Additionally, four multi-cam feeds on JioHotstar will provide a fresh perspective on the high-voltage encounters.

On TV, JioStar Network will offer extensive coverage across Star Sports and Sports18 channels, delivering commentary in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Indian Sign Language feed and Audio Descriptive Commentary will also return on JioHotstar, making the tournament more accessible and inclusive for all fans.

JioStar head of content–sports Siddharth Sharma said, “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be presented with an unprecedented range of viewing options. Our expansive linear television network and dominant digital presence will bring cricket deeper, wider, and in a more immersive way than ever before. Every cricket fan, regardless of language or accessibility preference, will have a front-row seat to the action.”

A galaxy of cricketing legends will lend their expertise to JioStar’s coverage, making every match an engaging experience. English commentary will be helmed by Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Nasser Hussain, Matthew Hayden, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Simon Doull, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Aaron Finch.

The Hindi panel includes Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Waqar Younis, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Mohammad Kaif, Piyush Chawla, Sanjay Bangar, Aakash Chopra, and Deep Dasgupta.

For regional language coverage, renowned names such as Hanuma Vihari, Venkatesh Prasad, Kedar Jadhav, and Shreevats Goswami will add flavour to the commentary, ensuring fans across India get expert analysis in their native tongue.

The tournament kicks off on 19 February 2025 with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opener. India, led by Rohit Sharma, begins its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before the much-anticipated India-Pakistan showdown on 23 February 2025. The final is slated for 9 March 2025.

(Picture courtesy ICC)

February 18, 2025
Avvatar Protein partners with Spartan

Bengaluru – Avvatar Protein, a subsidiary of Parag Milk Foods Ltd., announced a strategic partnership with Spartan. With over 250 events held annually across more than 40 countries, Spartan inspires over one million participants each year to push beyond their limits. Through this collaboration, Spartan’s endurance challenges will now be introduced to Indian audiences, with the first event set to launch in Bengaluru on 10 November.

This partnership comes at a time when more Indians are prioritising their fitness. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), India had approximately 3.5 million gym members in 2019, with that number projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3 per cent from 2020 to 2024. The activation plan includes a dynamic sampling program across 75 premium gyms and nine outdoor run clubs (three per city) in Bengaluru, Pune, and Noida, directly engaging an estimated 3,000-4,000 fitness enthusiasts.

To amplify this grassroots engagement, Avvatar will collaborate with Spartan influencers, who will create compelling content across various social media platforms. On race day, Avvatar will enjoy prominent visibility through five key branded areas, including the entry gate, start and finish arches, dedicated experience zones, and obstacle areas. This integrated strategy ensures maximum brand exposure, both on the ground and digitally, with content shared across Avvatar’s and the influencers’ social media channels to engage the broader Spartan community.

This partnership is further elevated by the Champs Foundation, founded by former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, which has brought Spartan to India through PMG. Adding star power to the collaboration is Bollywood actor Siddharth Malhotra as brand ambassador, whose commitment to fitness and personal transformation embodies the spirit of both Spartan and Avvatar.

This partnership represents a perfect alignment of values and vision,” said Parag Milk Foods Ltd executive director Akshali Shah. “Spartan’s commitment to pushing boundaries in endurance sports mirrors Avvatar’s dedication to providing premium nutrition that enables peak performance. Our 100% vegetarian whey protein, packed with nine essential amino acids, is designed to support athletes through every challenge they face – from training to race day. Together with Spartan, we’re not just sponsoring an event; we’re fueling a movement that empowers Indians to achieve their ultimate potential.”

November 11, 2024

Sony Sports Network acquires exclusive television rights for Major League Cricket 2024 in India

Mumbai: Culver Max Entertainment Private Ltd, who owns and operates Sony Sports Network, the leading sports broadcaster in India, is delighted to announce the acquisition of exclusive television rights for T20 cricket spectacle Major League Cricket (MLC) for one year in India. The second edition of the league will kickstart with reigning champions MI New York facing Seattle Orcas in the opener at Church Street Park, Morrisville and will be live telecast in India 6 July 2024. The grand finale of the tournament will be played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and will be live telecast in India on 29 July 2024.

A major share from the ongoing cricket revolution in the United States can be attributed to MLC, which has attracted eyeballs of India’s evergreen cricket fraternity. The participation from Indian cricket franchises Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings brings a whole new level of excitement for fans of the respective teams. Some of the most popular cricketers including Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran are expected to feature in the upcoming edition of the league.

The MLC’s second season features an all-star lineup of announcers, including the former captain of the Indian national cricket team and great batsman Sunil Gavaskar, Pakistani legendary bowler Wasim Akram, former New Zealand and Auckland cricketer Danny Morrison, alongside Daren Ganga, Pommie Mbangwa, Matthew Hayden, Chris Morris, Natalie Germanos, Scott Styris, and Mike Haysmen.

The inaugural edition of MLC attained critical success with six teams participating i.e. San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom, Texas Super Kings, Seattle Orcas, Los Angeles Knight Riders and MI New York. Team MI New York was crowned champions after they defeated Seattle Orcas in the final played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. Nicholas Pooran, who featured for the champions, registered 388 runs and was adjudged the Player of the Season last year.

With the acquisition of television rights for Major League Cricket, Sony Sports Network has asserted its solid footprint in broadcasting cricket properties. The broadcaster’s cricket portfolio already boasts of rights for New Zealand Cricket, England Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket & the recent addition of India Tour of Zimbabwe T20I series.

Match	Date	Time (IST)	Channel
MI New York vs. Seattle Orcas	06/07/24	01:00	Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD
Texas Super Kings vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders	06/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Washington Freedom vs. MI New York	07/07/24	00:30	Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD
San Francisco Unicorns vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders	08/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Washington Freedom vs. Texas Super Kings	09/07/24	00:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. Seattle Orcas	10/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Seattle Orcas vs. Washington Freedom	12/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
MI New York vs. Texas Super Kings	13/07/24	00:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. San Francisco Unicorns	14/07/24	00:30	Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD
Texas Super Kings vs. MI New York	15/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD
Seattle Orcas vs. San Francisco Unicorns	16/07/24	00:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
MI New York vs. Washington Freedom	17/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Seattle Orcas vs. Los Angeles Knight Riders	18/07/24	00:30	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
MI New York vs. San Francisco Unicorns	19/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Texas Super Kings vs. Washington Freedom	20/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
San Francisco Unicorns vs. Seattle Orcas	21/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Los Angeles Knight Riders vs. MI New York	22/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
San Francisco Unicorns vs. Washington Freedom	23/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Texas Super Kings vs. Seattle Orcas	24/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Eliminator (3 v 4)	25/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Qualifier (1 v 2)	26/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Challenger	27/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Final	29/07/24	06:00	Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD

July 6, 2024

Mr. Sunil Gavaskar launches the So Sorry Gully Cricket app by India Today

MUMBAI: A cricket app of India Today called So Sorry Gully Cricket was formally launched in the presence of legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on day 3 of FICCI FRAMES 2019 in a session moderated by Vikrant Gupta. Apart from the Mr. Sunil Gavaskar, Present were Mr. Sam Balsara, Mr. Shashi Sinha and Mr. Jaideep Trivedi.

Sunil Gavaskar spoke about the memories associated with Gully Cricket, “There used to be very narrow space between the two buildings and if you hit over the top of the 1st floor, you were out. We learnt only to play straight. You sort of leant to adjust your bat speed and you learnt to either play forward or back. The best part or the worst part according to the way you saw it was that the umpires were all from the building so if they liked you, they would say not out they didn’t like you, you were given out.” He said laughingly.

Mr. Sam Balsara said, “There is nothing big in the country right now that cricket and politics. You are giving both these things to Indians in form of a game, you should hit jackpot with this.”

March 14, 2019
Pro Volleyball League players present Mumbai team jersey to Sunil Gavaskar

MUMBAI: Pro Volleyball League stars Mohan Ukkrapandian from Kochi Blue Spikets (L) and Ranjit Singh from Ahmedabad Defenders (R) present the official UMumba jersey to Mumbaikar and cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar, who is a panellist on Sony Pictures Networks India’s live studio show, Extraaa Innings. The inaugural edition of Pro Volleyball League featuring the best of Indian and international athletes starts on February 2, 2019 and will be telecast exclusively on the sports channels of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN).

The inaugural edition of the league will see six franchises vying for the title. Ahmedabad Defenders is owned by Bonhomie Sports Event Mgmt. Ltd., Kerala's Calicut Heroes is owned by Beacon Sports while the Chennai Spartans is owned by Chennai Spartans Pvt. Ltd. U Mumba Volley is owned by U Sports, who also own a team in the Kabaddi league while Black Hawks Hyderabad is owned by Agile Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Thomas Muthoot owns the Kochi franchise called the Kochi Blue Spikers.

Pro Volleyball League’s first season will be held in two volleyball hotbeds of India i.e. Kochi (Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium) and Chennai (Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium). Each of the six teams will have 12 players including two foreign players and two Indian U-21 players. The league will be played over a total of 18 matches with each team playing each other once in a round-robin format and the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals. All the matches will be broadcasted live on Sony Six and Sony Ten 3 and will be streamed live on Sony LIV.

January 16, 2019
LEGENDARY CRICKETERS AT THE MEGA CRICKET CONCLAVE IN DUBAI- SALAAM CRICKET

Aaj Tak brings together legendary cricketers from Asia at the iconic Annual Cricket Conclave, Salaam Cricket in Dubai on 17th September. Cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar, Mohd Azharuddin, Harbhajan Singh, Wasim Akram, Younis Khan, Misbah Ul Haq, Habibul Bashar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Abdul Qadir will get together at Hotel Address Boulevard, Dubai to enthrall the audience with unheard tales, electrifying insights and their un-paralleled view on the Asia Cup.

The iconic cricketers will share candid moments from the game, and their off-field camaraderie that represents their true sportsmanship.

As the nations gear up for Asia Cup, the spotlight returns on the legendary battle between India & Pakistan. It’s nothing short of a war, where the best men fight it out on the field for national honour & glory. The legendary cricketers share their view & sentiments on the game as the countries fight for glory.

The forum is open to all cricket fans, Priced @ AED 350. Salaam Cricket is scheduled to take place on 17th September’2018 at Hotel Address Boulevard, Dubai 2:00pm onwards.

For tickets, please log on to https;//dubai.platinumlist.net & more info call 050 7342004.

September 7, 2018