Indian-origin chef Depinder Chhibber is making a much-anticipated return to MasterChef Australia for its 17th season, joining a star-studded lineup of returning contestants. Known for her delicate Indian flavors and calm presence, Depinder previously won hearts in MasterChef Australia 13 and is now set to compete once more under the guidance of judges Andy Allen, Poh Ling-Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli, and Sofia Levin.

Expressing her excitement about re-entering the high-stakes culinary battle, Depinder shared, “Back to win! MasterChef Australia altered my life forever, and now we’re at it again.”

A competitive comeback

Season 17 of MasterChef Australia, themed “Back to Win 2025,” is bringing back several fan-favorite chefs from across the show’s history, spanning from Season 1 to Season 16. These returning contestants will face off in an intense kitchen showdown, aiming for a second—or even third—shot at the coveted MasterChef title.

For Depinder, the competition is more than just about winning. Since her first appearance, she has expanded her culinary career, launching a supper club named “Ghar”, which means “home” in Hindi, where she offers an authentic Indian dining experience. She also made a notable appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef India 2023, further solidifying her place in the culinary world.

Reflecting on her journey, Depinder shared, “MasterChef Australia 13 was a life-changing event. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many chefs that I like, cook in various kitchens, and lead classes. It’s been great. Showcasing Indian cuisine has been an honor for me.”

Meet the returning contestants

Depinder will be competing alongside 23 other returning chefs, all looking to claim the MasterChef title. The lineup includes:

Alana Lowes, Andre Ursini, Audra Morrice, Beau Cook, Ben Macdonald, Callum Hann, Cath Collins, Darrsh Clarke, Declan Cleary, Jamie Fleming, Jimmy Wong, Laura Sharrad, Matt Hopcraft, Pete Campbell, Rhiannon Anderson, Rue Mupedzi, Samira El Khafir, Sarah Todd, Savindri Perera, Snezana Calic, Steph De Sousa, Theo Loizou, and Tim Bone.

As the competition kicks off, viewers are eager to see how Depinder Chhibber navigates the high-pressure challenges, and whether she can take home the MasterChef trophy this time around.

Adelaide was struck by tragedy as Pakistani-origin cricketer Junaid Zafar Khan collapsed and died on the pitch during a local turf cricket match amid soaring temperatures. The incident occurred over the weekend during a match between Old Concordians and Prince Alfred Old Collegians at Concordia College, Adelaide.

Death on the pitch due to extreme heat

Junaid Zafar Khan, who moved to Australia from Pakistan in 2013, was batting for Old Concordians when he suddenly collapsed. At the time, the temperature had reportedly reached 41.7 degrees Celsius. Paramedics attempted to revive him, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

His club, Old Collegians, expressed their grief in a statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a valued member of the Old Concordians’ Cricket Club, who tragically suffered a medical episode while playing on the Concordia College oval today. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he sadly did not survive. Thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time.”

Tributes pour in for Junaid Zafar Khan

Junaid, who worked in the tech industry after moving to Adelaide, was remembered fondly by his friends and colleagues. His close friend Hasan Anjum described his passing as a “big loss.”

“It’s a huge loss, he was destined for very big things in his life,” Anjum told The Advertiser.

Heatwave triggers safety concerns in cricket

The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association (ATCA) bylaws require matches to be canceled if temperatures exceed 42°C during play. However, under special playing regulations, games can continue when temperatures are up to 40°C.

Junaid’s death has sparked a debate over heat guidelines in Australian cricket, with growing calls for a review of existing regulations to prioritize player safety.

Reliance Jio has introduced new offers on select prepaid recharge plans ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The telecom provider is bundling a complimentary 90-day subscription to JioHotstar and a 50-day free trial of Jio AirFiber with recharge plans worth Rs. 299 and above. This move aims to enhance the cricket-watching experience, allowing users to stream IPL matches in 4K quality on mobile devices and televisions.

Jio’s unlimited benefits for prepaid users

As per the company’s announcement, existing and new Jio customers who opt for recharge plans starting from Rs. 299 will receive free access to JioHotstar for 90 days. This will enable them to enjoy 4K streaming of IPL matches, movies, anime, and more. Additionally, Jio is offering a 50-day free trial of JioFiber or Jio AirFiber, providing users with unlimited Wi-Fi, 800+ OTT channels, and over 11 OTT apps for a home entertainment experience.

Key benefits of the Rs. 299 plan:

• Unlimited voice calls
• 1.5GB of data per day
• 100 SMS per day
• Access to JioCloud, JioTV, and bundled apps

New users can also purchase a new Jio SIM with a Rs. 299 or higher plan to avail of the same benefits. Customers looking for unlimited 5G data can opt for plans offering 2GB per day or more.

Offer validity and additional recharge options

The Jio IPL offer is valid from March 17 to March 31, 2024. Customers who recharged before March 17 can still benefit by purchasing a Rs. 100 add-on pack, which provides similar features.

Jio also offers other prepaid recharge plans that include a JioHotstar subscription, such as Rs. 100, Rs. 195, and Rs. 949 recharges.

The complimentary JioHotstar subscription will be activated on March 22, the first day of the IPL 2024, and will remain valid for 90 days.