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Category: Sports

  • India’s ‘60 overs of hell’ roar back on screen as Sony Sports cues up docuseries on epic England tour

    India’s ‘60 overs of hell’ roar back on screen as Sony Sports cues up docuseries on epic England tour

    MUMBAI: Sony Sports Network is serving cricket fans a piping hot platter of drama, nostalgia and chin music with Bharat Tum Chale Chalo – Kahani 2021-22 Ki, a gritty three-part docuseries that rewinds to one of India’s most unforgettable Test cricket campaigns — the 2021-22 tour of England. Premiering on Sunday, 15 June at 1pm across Sony Sports Ten 1, 3, 4, and 5 — and streaming on Sony LIV — the series pulls back the curtain on India’s high-octane cricketing crusade on British soil.

    Fresh from their famous Gabba heist Down Under, the Men in Blue marched into England with a searing pace battery and a score to settle. From Lord’s “60 overs of hell” to Rohit’s bat-does-the-talking moment and the leadership shake-up that had fans glued, this is cricketing cinema with sweat, swagger and plenty of sledging.

    The series ropes in a solid bench of voices who lived and breathed the campaign — from former India head coach Ravi Shastri and England’s Michael Vaughan, to bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding wizard R. Sridhar, and Kohli and Rohit’s childhood coaches. With spicy anecdotes and rare behind-the-scenes footage, this is not just a docuseries — it’s a dressing-room pass.

    Episode guide:

    Episode 1: Pace is pace

    Virat Kohli’s long game — building a ruthless pace attack since 2014 — gets its due. Bumrah, Shami, Siraj and Shardul bowl fire and fury into Lord’s, scripting one of India’s grittiest away glories.

    Episode 2: Let the bat talk

    A redemption arc for the ages: Kohli v Anderson, Rahul’s zen mode, and Rohit’s evolution into a dependable Test opener — capped by that sweet, sweet overseas ton.

    Episode 3: Oh captain, my captain

    When the final Test got postponed, so did destiny. With Kohli stepping down and Bumrah stepping in, England entered the Bazball era. The finale dives into legacy, leadership, and all the ‘what-ifs’ still echoing at Old Trafford.

    Timed to perfection ahead of the upcoming India-England clash, this is Sony Sports Network reminding fans why red-ball cricket still packs the biggest punch.

  • Man United and adidas strip it back to dreamland with new home kit

    Man United and adidas strip it back to dreamland with new home kit

    MUMBAI: Adidas and Manchester United have dropped their 2025/26 home kit, and it’s steeped in sentiment. Taking cues from the quiet power of Old Trafford on non-match days, the design brings to life the stadium’s soul — minus the roars, but with all the reverence.

    Dubbed the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ kit, the jersey features a moody abstract sleeve graphic in rich reds that nods to the stands, tunnel, and turf. It’s a tribute to the pitch-side calm before the Premier League storm.

    A crisp black-and-white V-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, and adidas’ signature three stripes keep things timeless, while a discreet ‘Theatre of Dreams’ sign-off at the back of the neck tips the hat to the club’s legacy.

    adidas senior design director Juergen Rank said, “The colour red is fundamental to the club’s DNA. There have been many different expressions of it over the years and for this season we wanted to do something a little different, using the sleeves as a canvas. The abstract graphic stays true to the club’s DNA while providing an innovative look and feel to an otherwise classy and classic jersey.”

    Built for performance, the on-field version includes adidas’ latest airflow-maximising fabric. For fans, the replica comes with AEROREADY tech — designed to wick away sweat, even when the match goes to extra time.

     

  • Scrum meets screen as Sportz Interactive powers Rugby Premier League

    Scrum meets screen as Sportz Interactive powers Rugby Premier League

    MUMBAI: When it comes to scoring off the field, Sportz Interactive is now the prop powering Indian rugby’s digital game. In a game-changing alliance, Sportz Interactive (SI) has partnered with the newly launched Rugby Premier League (RPL), supported by GMR Sports, to design and drive the league’s entire digital presence from the first whistle to the final try.

    The engagement sees SI developing and managing the official RPL website now the central hub for fixtures, squad updates, and stories as well as launching its social media channels to build a strong, steady fanbase from the get-go. The agency also rolled out a suite of creative launch assets and a phased content strategy to keep rugby conversations buzzing long after match day.

    To mark major moments like franchise unveils, player auctions, and squad reveals, SI created high-impact visuals and behind-the-scenes content, including exclusive interviews with RPL heavyweights like Rugby India president Rahul Bose and GMR Sports CEO, Satyam Trivedi.

    The collaboration also takes the reins on RPL’s flagship fan campaign, #RugRugMeinRugby, weaving it across platforms through custom content buckets, quirky formats, and platform-specific storytelling that’s equal parts entertaining and educational. From strategic sponsor activations to creative brand partnerships, SI is also helping bring the business side of rugby into sharper play.

    “Rugby is stepping into an exciting new era in India,” said Sportz Interactive SVP for Teams Chintan Shah. “This is more than a league, it’s a movement. At SI, we’re excited to blend data, design, and digital storytelling to grow the game and fire up the fans.”

    As the Rugby Premier League sets its sights on making rugby more mainstream in India, SI’s playbook is simple: create buzz, build community, and make every scroll, swipe, and click feel like a try well scored.
     

  • IPL 18 breaks ad records as brands go full throttle on cricket’s biggest stage

    IPL 18 breaks ad records as brands go full throttle on cricket’s biggest stage

    MUMBAI: India’s favourite cricket carnival isn’t just smashing sixes on the field—it’s delivering knockout punches off it too. According to TAM Sports’ latest “Commercial Advertising Report” for IPL Season 18, ad volumes soared 10.5 per cent over last season, with brands and advertisers pouring into the league like never before.

    Average ad volume per channel per match nudged up by 0.5 per cent, but the real action was in the format. Blink and you’d miss it: sub-10 second spots were the most preferred ad length in IPL 18, overtaking the 11–20 second bracket that ruled in IPL 17. Short and sharp is clearly in.

    IPL 18 introduced over 25 fresh ad categories to the mix—including properties/real estate, branded jewellery, and cellular services—while more than 25 from IPL 17 vanished from the screen (goodbye chocolates and cement).

    The number of advertisers and brands jumped 30 per cent and 29 per cent respectively. Parle Biscuits took the top spot among advertisers (8 per cent share), while Vimal Elaichi chewed up the charts as the most advertised brand.

    Food & beverages led sectoral spends with 36 per cent share, followed by services (23 per cent) and auto (nine per cent). Mouth fresheners remained a favourite, topping both IPL 17 and 18, with ecom-gaming holding steady in third place.

    A total of 186 brands advertised across both regional and national (Hindi + English) sports channels, with Vimal Elaichi emerging as the MVP across language segments. Meanwhile, the likes of Amul and Puravankara focused on national visibility, while brands like Walkmate and Maliban stuck to regional turf.

    The final match of IPL 18 clocked the highest ad volume growth compared to its IPL 17 counterpart, proving once again that cricket’s climax is prime time for marketers.

    As IPL continues to evolve from sport to spectacle, it’s clear advertisers are no longer playing it safe—they’re playing to win, and in ever shorter bursts.

  • Fancode locks in Bengal Pro T20 League streaming rights; Shami, Richa Ghosh headline the show

    Fancode locks in Bengal Pro T20 League streaming rights; Shami, Richa Ghosh headline the show

    MUMBAI: India’s cricket summer just got hotter.

    Fancode is all set to exclusively stream the Bengal Pro T20 League starting 11 June. The move brings back-to-back matches, bold strokes, and Bengal’s biggest cricket names directly to mobile screens — and all for a pocket-friendly price.

    The league will feature both men’s and women’s editions, giving equal spotlight to seasoned stars and rising talents. The men’s matches will unfold at the historic Eden Gardens, while the women’s battles will be played at the Jadavpur University grounds. The finals for both editions are slated for 28 June.

    Among the star players, Team India’s pace spearhead Mohammad Shami will don the colours of Sharchi Rarh Tigers. Former Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwari, young gun Abhishek Porel, and seamer Mukesh Kumar are also part of the mix. Not to be outdone, the women’s tournament features marquee names like Richa Ghosh, Hrishita Basu, and Saika Ishaque.

    The men’s league will see eight franchises in the fray: Kolkata Royal Tigers, Adamas Howrah Warriors, Rashmi Medinipur Wizards, Rarh Tigers, Malda Sobisco Smashers, Murshidabad Kings, Harbour Diamonds, and Servotec Siliguri Strikers.

    The women’s division mirrors that with teams including Rarh Tigers, Servotec Siliguri Strikers, Rashmi Medinipur Wizards, Adamas Howrah Warriors, Lux-Shyam Kolkata Tigers, Harbour Diamonds, Murshidabad Queens, and Sobisco Smashers Malda.

    Fancode’s coverage comes loaded with digital perks. Fans can enjoy interactive overlays, instant highlights, and customised match access — allowing them to pay only for the games they want. The pricing is just as aggressive as the cricket: match pass at Rs 25, full men’s edition at Rs 99, and the women’s full pass at Rs 69.

    “We’re bringing Bengal cricket to every screen with features built for today’s fan”, said Fancode spokespersons. With this exclusive tie-up, Fancode continues to strengthen its position in regional sports streaming, delivering high-octane tournaments that blend local fervour with a global digital touch.

  • Nielsen report shows fans, formats, and fierce females fuelling sports boom

    Nielsen report shows fans, formats, and fierce females fuelling sports boom

    MUMBAI: Nielsen’s latest Global Sports Report lands like a last-minute winner—unpacking how sponsorships, women’s sports, and shifting media habits are fuelling the next wave of growth in the global game.

    With 51 per cent of the world’s population calling themselves fans, the beautiful game is a branding bonanza. A whopping 67 per cent of football lovers say they’re more inclined towards sponsoring brands—13 points higher than the average punter. The U.S., still warming up to football, is shaping up as the next power market, with 62 million fans and the FIFA World Cup 2026 looming. The fanbase is young, diverse, and loaded—76 per cent are Gen Z or millennials, and over a third live in $100K+ households.

    Next up: women’s sports. Not just gaining ground—they’re sprinting ahead. Global interest in women’s sports hit 50 per cent in 2024, up from 45 per cent in 2022. In the U.S., the WNBA saw a 31 per cent spike in its fanbase, with viewership up 201 per cent for the 2024 season. Brands like Coach are already cashing in, tapping into a surging female fanbase where 47 per cent of women follow women’s sports, and 42 per cent tune into men’s matches—a leap from 2022 levels.

    Third on Nielsen’s list: a media shake-up. Live sport still rules, but how fans watch is changing fast. Streaming is booming among the over-50s (up 21 per cent in two years), while Gen Z is flocking to newer formats like TGL golf. Social media’s not just driving discovery—it’s building new tribes. Rugby, for instance, is racking up fans in unexpected markets thanks to athlete influencers like Ilona Maher and viral Olympic moments. Even pickleball, once a punchline, is riding high on digital clout—fuelled by social-first brand moves like Nature Made®’s cheeky #ProPickle campaign.

    Nielsen Sports general manager Jon Stainer said, “The global sports industry is experiencing an exhilarating evolution, as live sports continue to grow and extend into all parts of media. At Nielsen, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the most important insights for broadcasters, brands, and organizations interested in connecting with fans. The data in our 2025 Global Sports Report illuminates precisely the opportunities that exist for these partners as the worldwide appeal of live sport, especially with major, worldwide sporting events on the horizon, gains even more momentum.”

    With fandoms fragmenting and formats evolving, Nielsen’s 2025 report makes one thing clear: if brands want to score, they’ll need to move fast, think digital, and back the underdogs.

  • Sony Sports Network gears up for epic India-England showdown

    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.

  • Crest in class Real Madrid’s 2025 kit is piping hot and Bernabéu bold

    Crest in class Real Madrid’s 2025 kit is piping hot and Bernabéu bold

    MUMBAI: A royal refresh is underway at the Bernabéu this time, in fabric. Adidas and Real Madrid have unveiled the 2025–26 Home Jersey, and it’s a sleek nod to the club’s illustrious past and future ambitions stitched together with precision, pride and a touch of metallic magic.

    Designed to celebrate the evolution of the Santiago Bernabéu, the kit is as much a tribute to architecture as it is to footballing legacy. Featuring metallic detailing and subtle textures, the jersey draws from both the old and new elements of the iconic stadium, creating a modern silhouette with historical soul.

    And while the classic all-white palette remains untouched, it’s the yellow piping drawn from the club crest that delivers a bold pop of identity. It’s Real Madrid through and through, just with sharper tailoring.

    Topping off the look is a clean crew-neck collar, paired with bespoke ribbed cuffs, and finished with white shorts and socks trimmed in dark grey for a full kit that says: regal, but ready for war.

    Performance hasn’t taken a back seat either. The on-field version of the kit uses the latest adidas innovation to maximise airflow, while the fan edition is built with sweat-wicking tech to keep things cool in the stands or on the pitch.

    Available now, the authentic player jersey is priced at Rs 8,599, while the replica home kit retails at Rs 5,999. Both can be snapped up at adidas stores, Real Madrid outlets, and select retail partners across India.

    With the Bernabéu as its muse and modern design in its seams, this kit doesn’t just wear history, it plays it forward.
     

  • Try time for India as GMR backs Rugby Premier League debut

    Try time for India as GMR backs Rugby Premier League debut

     MUMBAI: Rugby’s big break in India just got a power-packed boost courtesy GMR Group. One of India’s largest conglomerates has scrummed down with Rugby India to become the title partner of the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), a first-of-its-kind franchise-based Rugby 7s tournament set to kick off in Mumbai on June 15, with the final scheduled for 29 June 2025.

    Organised in collaboration with GMR Sports, the league promises to be a landmark moment for Indian rugby. The action will unfold at Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex), featuring six founding franchises and a mix of global and homegrown talent.

    The GMR Rugby Premier League (GMR RPL) will welcome players from rugby powerhouses like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, USA, and Spain, along with 18 international athletes from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany. On the home front, 30 Indian players were picked from a competitive auction pool of 71, putting the spotlight on the country’s emerging talent.

    GMR’s entry as title sponsor is no token gesture. With a strong track record in nurturing sport be it cricket with the Delhi Capitals, kabaddi, or grassroots initiatives the group’s involvement signals a serious intent to grow rugby’s footprint in India.

    Calling it a “very important opening season,” Rugby India president Rahul Bose hailed the partnership as one rooted in “mutual belief and optimism.” He added, “We are confident this partnership will stand the test of time.”

    For Indian rugby, this isn’t just a league, it’s a leap. And with GMR’s backing, the sport finally looks set to convert potential into points. Let the rucks and tries begin.

  • Goa sets it, PVL spikes it with debut of 10th team, Goa Guardians

    Goa sets it, PVL spikes it with debut of 10th team, Goa Guardians

     MUMBAI: From sandy shores to centre court, Goa’s taking its volleyball love to the big league. The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has just added a fresh dose of flair to its roster with the launch of its tenth franchise, the Goa Guardians. Backed by Netenrich chairman and CEO Raju Chekuri, the Guardians are set to debut in Season 4, which officially kicks off on 2 October 2025. With this move, PVL continues its streak of adding one team every season, cementing its reputation as one of India’s fastest-growing sporting leagues.

    Goa may be famous for its beaches and football fandom, but volleyball has long pulsed through its local communities and now, the state gets its long-overdue representation on the national stage.

    “We’re not just building a team, we’re building an Olympic dream,” said Chekuri, expressing his ambition to see India competing in volleyball at the highest global levels within the next decade. “Goa Guardians is a mission to harness the untapped potential across India and give our athletes the international exposure they deserve.”

    With over 160 players expected to go under the hammer, PVL’s Season 4 auction will take place on 8 June in Calicut and fans can catch every spike and steal live on the league’s YouTube channel.

    Baseline Ventures managing director and co-founder Tuhin Mishra which co-owns and markets the league, called the addition “a major boost” to the sport’s national presence. “There’s no shortage of talent in India, and a 10-team league means more chances for players to shine.”

    Also welcoming the new entrants was PVL CEO Joy Bhattacharjya, who said the Guardians are a “fantastic addition,” and praised Chekuri’s vision for grassroots development and international credibility.

    Goa Guardians now join a formidable line-up: Ahmedabad Defenders, Bengaluru Torpedoes, Calicut Heroes, Chennai Blitz, Delhi Toofans, Hyderabad Black Hawks, Kochi Blue Spikers, Kolkata Thunderbolts and Mumbai Meteors.

    With this expansion, PVL isn’t just growing in size, it’s growing in ambition. As the countdown to Season 4 begins, the league is poised to serve up thrilling rallies, bigger rivalries, and new regional heroes, all with one clear mission: to spike Indian volleyball into global consciousness.