LUCKNOW: Third time, they say, is the charm. The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) returned to Lucknow for the third consecutive year, presenting an evening that combined sporting excellence with high-octane glamour, rolling out the red carpet for Indian sporting royalty.From Olympians and world champions to para-athletes and rising stars, the event brought together the entire spectrum under one roof. Adding charm and energy to the evening were the hosts. Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, whose unabashed stage presence and sharp banter kept the proceedings moving.The venue lit up in style as the big sports names arrived dressed for the occasion. Sharp suits, elegant sarees and statement silhouettes dominated the red carpet, offering a rare glimpse of athletes away from the competition arena and into the spotlight of national identity. Camera flashes followed legends and first-time winners alike, illustrating the scale and stature of the event.
The most interesting part of the evening came when Neha Dhupia invited members of the Indian women’s cricket team, led by Harman Preet KaurAt center stage, briefly shifting the tone from formal recognition to frank conversation and humor.What followed was a lively, cricket-themed discussion that drew both laughter and applause. Using familiar field terms like lbw, umpire, bouncer and hit wicket, the player— Deepti SharmaHarleen Deol, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet – described each other off the field.From social media habits to shopping confessions on tour, the exchange offered a rare glimpse into the team’s off-field camaraderie. The segment climaxed with impromptu dancing, garnering one of the loudest cheers of the night.Shaam also struck a thoughtful note when asked by Neha Dhupia. Tapsee PanuTOISA Ambassador of the Year, on portraying athletes on screen — what was more challenging: playing the role or training for it?Penance was unclear. He said that getting so close to the life of an athlete was the most difficult challenge. Calling himself an “aspiring player”, he shared that many of his films were based on his desire to learn new sports, adding that players are the true heroes of the country – a passion that has continuously drawn him to such roles.The exchange turned playful when she was asked about a sports biopic she would still like to do. Without hesitation, he named Sania Mirza, acknowledging that her lack of familiarity with tennis would make the challenge more interesting. He described Mirza’s journey as very impressive.As the night progressed, laughter and giggles created a constant rhythm. The most emotional moment of the evening came when Para Chess champion Vaibhav Gautam took the stage. As he was wheeled in to receive his honor, the entire hall erupted into a spontaneous standing ovation.The award was presented by an esteemed group that included India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad member Madan Lal, former hockey international MM Somaiah and 2016 Paralympics silver medalist Deepa Malik.The awards cover 45 categories, with an emphasis on para-sports.For Archana Singh (23), attending her first awards ceremony was “surreal and unforgettable”. Ritika Sharma (21), a student of Lucknow University, felt that the event struck a perfect balance between sports and entertainment.It wasn’t just about who won. It was about who showed up, how the evening felt, and how the game, the style and the stature came together to create a mood that lasted long after the lights dimmed.
