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Category: Sports

  • Nftfn co-founder Abhishek Gupta pads up for next innings with cricket gaming app PlayPe

    Nftfn co-founder Abhishek Gupta pads up for next innings with cricket gaming app PlayPe

    MUMBAI: In a move set to bowl over India’s mobile-first cricket fandom, former Nftfn co-founder & CMO Abhishek Gupta has announced his next venture: ‘PlayPe’, an online skill-based gaming platform built to convert passive cricket viewership into real-time action.

    Scheduled to launch between August and September 2025, PlayPe will let users make in-match decisions and earn real cash rewards based on their cricketing knowledge. The platform promises to operate within India’s legal boundaries—with mandatory KYC, age-gated onboarding, and a strong focus on responsible gaming.

    “Cricket isn’t just a sport in India — it’s part of our identity”, said Gupta, who left Nftfn (now rebranded as Xtrading) in January 2025 after 3.5 years building its brand and community. “PlayPe turns fans into active participants, rewarding their insights, timing, and cricketing mind – not luck”.

    During his time at Nftfn, Gupta helped raise over $1.1 million in funding and scaled a high-engagement user community in the crypto trading space. Now, with PlayPe, he’s looking to tap into India’s cricket-crazy audience by blending gaming, real-time decision-making, and legal compliance.

    PlayPe’s UI is tailored for India’s diverse user base, with multilingual access and intuitive design aimed at users in tier two and tier three cities. The app will offer fast payouts, live challenge formats, and scalable gameplay during real matches, making every over an opportunity.

    The app will be available on Android and iOS, marking Gupta’s second innings in the Indian consumer tech space. With cricket as the playing field and skill as the strategy, PlayPe is betting big on what India loves most.

  • JioStar inks three-year broadcast deal with Indianoil UTT to serve table tennis turbo

    JioStar inks three-year broadcast deal with Indianoil UTT to serve table tennis turbo

    MUMBAI: Indianoil Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has found a powerful broadcast ally in JioStar. The league announced a three-year partnership with India’s leading sports broadcaster to bring the fastest hands in sport to screens across the country through 2027. The move is poised to give Indian table tennis the spotlight it has long chased.

    Under the agreement, JioStar will deliver live, multilingual coverage across Star Sports 2, Star Sports Khel, and Star Sports Tamil, along with streaming on JioHotstar in English, Hindi and Tamil. Season 6 of Indianoil UTT kicked off with behind-the-scenes programming on 12 May, building anticipation before the on-table action unfolds.

    “Over the past few years, Indian table tennis has made meaningful strides, and Indianoil UTT’s mission has been to accelerate that progress by providing a world-class platform for homegrown talent. Our partnership with JioStar for the next three seasons will help us deepen that impact by reaching more households, engaging new audiences, and laying a stronger foundation for the next generation of Indian table tennis stars”, said UTT co-promoters Vita Dani and Niraj Bajaj.

    This season’s player line-up promises a mix of star power and fresh energy. International aces like Aruna Quadri, Alvaro Robles, Bernadette Szocs, Adriana Diaz, and China’s Fan Siqi join India’s elite — Manika Batra, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Harmeet Desai, and Sreeja Akula. Rising domestic stars such as Diya Chitale, Payas Jain, Ankur Bhattacharjee, and Yashaswini Ghorpade round out the action-packed roster.

    The league will field eight franchises: Ahmedabad SG Pipers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Dempo Goa Challengers TT, Jaipur Patriots, Kolkata ThunderBlades, PBG Pune Jaguars, and U Mumba TT. Defending champions Dempo Goa Challengers, led by Harmeet Desai, are chasing their third consecutive title.

    Sanctioned by the Table Tennis Federation of India and co-promoted by Dani and Bajaj, Indianoil UTT continues to climb as one of the sport’s premier global properties. The 2024 edition clocked 20 million viewers across TV and OTT, marking a 1.3x year-on-year jump. With JioStar now in its corner, the league is aiming higher—in both reach and impact.

  • Playr launches Player Essentials line to keep athletes cool, dry and game-ready

    Playr launches Player Essentials line to keep athletes cool, dry and game-ready

    MUMBAI: When it comes to performance, what you wear can be just as critical as how you play. The Mumbai-based sportswear brand, Playr has taken that to heart with the launch of its Player Essentials collection—an all-in-one line of gear that caters to everyone from casual runners to IPL pros.

    The collection includes a full suite of apparel, equipment, and accessories. Each piece has been crafted with functional ergonomics and smart fabric engineering, designed to deliver utility without compromising on comfort. Whether it’s the breathable Core Run Tee or the terrain-friendly gym gear, the brand is aiming to redefine what Indian athletes wear in training and recovery.

    The collection features:

    ●    Apparel: Training Tees, Core Run Tees, Terrain Tees, Cricket Whites (junior and adult), after-sport jackets, versatile shorts, and pants

    ●    Equipment: Cricket bats, guards, yoga mats, fitness bikes

    ●    Accessories: Protein shakers, sippers, caps, performance socks

    “At Playr, we believe running—and sports overall—is more than just a physical activity; it’s a lifestyle. The Player Essentials collection is built for those who demand durability, precision, and comfort in every stride”, said Playr co-founder and Icorets Pvt Ltd director Ravi Kukreja.

    The brand’s philosophy, ‘Player First’, has resonated well beyond product shelves. Since its 2022 launch, Playr has partnered with seven out of 10 IPL teams. In 2025, the company renewed its tie-up with Chennai Super Kings and announced new collaborations with Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad—with more deals on the horizon.

    For a brand born in the post-pandemic performance boom, Playr is proving it can do more than keep pace—it’s setting the tempo.

  • JioStar backs BCCI’s IPL suspension, says national interest comes first

    JioStar backs BCCI’s IPL suspension, says national interest comes first

    MUMBAI: JioStar – the official broadcast and streaming partner of the Tata IPL 2025 – has thrown its weight behind the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to suspend the league indefinitely, declaring that national interest must take precedence over all else.

    In a statement issued to stakeholders and the media, the company expressed unwavering support for the government, the armed forces, and civilians impacted by the ongoing situation. JioStar has promised to collaborate with the BCCI to ensure the tournament resumes at an Tata IPL 2025 appropriate time.

    “We, at JioStar, wholeheartedly support the BCCI’s decision to suspend Tata IPL 2025 and stand firmly committed to prioritise national interest over all other considerations,” the company stated.

    JioStar further pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to guarantee a smooth transition, ensuring that everyone involved in the tournament’s broadcast and operations returns home safely.

  • IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely

    IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely

    MUMBAI: The news could not have come at a worse time for JioStar.  Just as the Indian Premier League 2025 – the IPL – world’s richest cricket league was beginning to gather momentum during the playoffs and attracting a slew of new advertisers, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a short while ago announced that it was calling it off – indefinitely. This is courtesy the conflict between India and Pakistan which has escalated and attained war like proportions.

    The BCCI members had long consultations this morning before finally taking the decision to indefinitely suspend it. Most of the cricketers playing in the league had expressed their reservations about their safety in the midst of the Indo-Pak tensions.

    JioStar leased a statement regarding the goverment’s decision stating, We, at JioStar, whole heartedly support the BCCI’s decision to suspend TATA IPL 2025 and stand firmly committed to prioritize national interest over all other considerations. At this time, we must stand united with our country, support the government and our armed forces, and extend solidarity & support to the civilians affected. We will work with the BCCI to bring back the tournament at an appropriate time. JioStar will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the transition is managed in a seamless manner and everyone involved in the tournament broadcast returns home safely.

    It may be recalled that last evening’s match between between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala on was cancelled after 10.1 overs of play in the first half following air raid alerts in neighbouring Indian cities of Jammu and Pathankot.

    How this will impact and how BCCI will work with the official broadcaster JioStar and streaming partner JioHotstar will become clearer in the coming days. Right now the focus is on the developing conflict between the two nations.

  • Gujarat Trailblazers hit sponsorship throttle ahead of ISRL season two

    Gujarat Trailblazers hit sponsorship throttle ahead of ISRL season two

    MUMBAI: Dust clouds, revving engines, and a fast lane to fandom—Gujarat Trailblazers are gearing up to race ahead in Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) Season two with new fuel in the tank. The founding franchise has announced brand tie-ups with La-Pino’z Pizza and Fantopark, signalling corporate momentum as India’s motorsport market races into mainstream marketing territory.

    The new sponsors come aboard as ISRL preps for its October-December two0two5 edition, where the Trailblazers hope to build on a strong debut last season. Known for their aggressive riding and fierce finishes, the team has emerged as a fan-favourite in Gujarat, backed by a charismatic leadership core.

    The team’s strategic vision comes courtesy of Daan Motorsports and Survi Group MD Dhrumil Patel, who continues to blend regional pride with global racing ambition. “We’ve always believed that Supercross has the potential to become more than a sport, it can be a cultural force”, Patel said. “At Gujarat Trailblazers, we’re not just building a team; we’re building an ecosystem that unites fans, brands, and communities through shared passion and high-octane experiences”.

    The broader ISRL ecosystem is also shifting gears. With Hindi cinema icon Salman Khan now the official brand ambassador, the league has entered a new orbit of star power and cross-demographic appeal. According to ISRL co-founder Veer Patel, season two will roll out music acts, curated food zones, and interactive fan parks to elevate the experience into a nationwide carnival.

    “From our expanded Fan Park zones to music acts, curated F&B experiences, and interactive engagements, ISRL Season two is poised to deliver an immersive, festival-like atmosphere delivering a 360-degree experience. The partnerships with teams like Gujarat Trailblazers reflect the growing resonance of this model with brands that value emotional connection,” he said.

    With over 1.5 crore spectators expected, the ISRL isn’t just burning rubber—it’s attracting boardroom attention. For Gujarat Trailblazers, these deals mark a growing validation of their brand-led motorsport blueprint, one that melds commercial clarity with community engagement.

  • Sanjog Gupta pitches JioStar’s mega play: one fan, one individual feed, infinite screens

    Sanjog Gupta pitches JioStar’s mega play: one fan, one individual feed, infinite screens

    MUMBAI: JioStar chief executive of sports and live experiences Sanjog Gupta knows how to play it well. He took the SVG India Summit stage on 5 May and delivered a fiery address that was part state-of-play, part future manifesto, and full of pride. This was despite him recovering from a bout of flu. 

    From JioStar’s record-breaking cricket broadcasts to the turbocharged rise of JioHotstar, Gupta dropped numbers and punchlines in equal measure.

    “Since the IPL began, we’ve added three  million pay TV homes and scaled to 280 million digital subscribers,” he said. “That’s not a curve; that’s a rocket.”

    A year ago, Disney Star and Viacom18 were at each other’s throats. Today, they’re joined at the hip in JioStar—a media juggernaut Gupta calls the marriage of “Star’s creativity and Jio’s connectivity.”

    In under 90 days, JioHotstar was born, merging two massive platforms with 250 million monthly users each. Since then, it’s broken just about every sports viewership record across both TV and OTT, from Test series highs to the biggest-ever WPL and IPL starts.

    But this isn’t just about cricket. Gupta unveiled JioStar’s new vertical—live experiences—which aims to blend collective fan energy with next-gen storytelling and interactivity. “We don’t want to just serve today—we want to shape tomorrow,” he declared.

    He outlined JioStar’s four commandments for partners:

    1. Think consumer, night and day
    2. Be bold, nimble, and humble
    3. Chase creativity, not just ideas
    4. Execute relentlessly

    But the mic-drop moment came when Gupta demoed MaxView 2.0—a souped-up, AI-powered vertical viewing experience designed for mobile fans. Swipe up for bite-sized moments. Swipe left for alternate angles and HeroCam views. Tap once and you’re back in the live game.

    “Screens are getting smaller, but the experience is getting bigger,” he quipped. “One taxi driver watches it at red lights. One guy told me he watches in the office without anyone noticing. That’s what we call stealth sports.”

    Since MaxView’s rollout, JioHotstar has clocked 25 per cent higher engagement from users on mobile. The mission now?

    One fan, many feeds—a world where each viewer gets a bespoke experience tailored to their individual moods, moments and devices.

    As Gupta put it: “Not many fans as one, but one fan as many.”

    Clearly, that should sweep fans all the way to the boundary – with lots of glee.

  • Slam dunks and music beats: NBA and Budweiser launch India’s first BUDX NBA House

    Slam dunks and music beats: NBA and Budweiser launch India’s first BUDX NBA House

    MUMBAI: The NBA is bringing its A-game to India with a full-court press of culture, music and sport. Teaming up with Budweiser, the league is set to debut the country’s first-ever BUDX NBA House on 7 and 8  June at the Dome, SVP Stadium in Mumbai.

    Timed to coincide with the 2025 NBA Finals, the two-day carnival promises more than just hoops. Think meet-and-greets with five-time NBA champion Derek Fisher and Hall of Famer Gary Payton, high-flying stunts by the Sacramento Kings dunk team, and DJ-fuelled chaos courtesy of Slamson the mascot and the Kings Dancers.

    “The first BUDX NBA House will be a must-visit destination for the passionate NBA fans in India to come together and celebrate their love of the game amid the excitement of the NBA Finals,” said NBA Asia head of strategy and NBA India country head Rajah Chaudhry.  “We look forward to bringing this signature showcase of the NBA, music and culture to India at a time when there is incredible momentum around basketball in the country.” 

    BudweiserVP  of marketing and trade marketing in India Vineet Sharma, called the event a “trendsetting experience” designed to blend hoops with high-octane youth culture. “We’ve long championed music and immersive fan moments. Now we’re turning up the volume with basketball.”

    Produced and ticketed by Zomato, the event has also roped in Brand USA, Emirates and Visit California as partners. More sponsor activations and programming are expected to drop soon.

    The NBA has previously taken its signature ‘House’ format to Brazil, France, Canada, Mexico, the US and the UK. Now it’s India’s turn to feel the bounce.

  • Myprotein flexes its muscle as nutrition partner for India’s first Hyrox race in Mumbai

    Myprotein flexes its muscle as nutrition partner for India’s first Hyrox race in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: In a move that blends protein with performance, Myprotein has been named the official nutrition partner for India’s first-ever Hyrox race, set to take place in Mumbai on 3 May 2025. The global indoor fitness competition, famed for its brutal mix of one kilometre runs and functional exercises, has finally touched down on Indian soil—and Myprotein is fuelling the action.

    The high-intensity race will unfold at Nesco Grounds in Goregaon, with athletes pushing through a battery of challenges including the SkiErg, Sled Push and Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, RowErg, Sandbag Lunges, Farmers Carry, and the fan-favourite Wall Balls.

    Myprotein will keep participants primed and replenished with its event-specific hydration product, The Electro, and muscle-building formula, The Whey. The Watermelon-flavoured Electro blend packs 1000mg of electrolytes—650mg sodium, 300mg potassium, and 60mg magnesium—to replace minerals lost through sweat. Meanwhile, The Whey’s Pista Ice Cream edition offers 25g of protein, 5.9g of BCAAs (2.8g leucine), just 3.6g of carbs, and 1.2g sugar—making it as lean as it is tasty.

    “We are excited to be the official nutrition partner for the debut of the globally renowned Hyrox in India. This thrilling competition perfectly aligns with Myprotein’s commitment to supporting fitness enthusiasts in achieving their goals. We are focused on providing the knowledge and nutritional tools necessary for individuals to train effectively for the unique challenges of Hyrox while fostering a strong sense of community and overall wellness. Our Hyrox-focused products, The Electro and The Whey are specifically designed to meet the hydration and recovery needs of these incredible athletes,” said Myprotein regional manager – India Sudeshna Saha.

    To build up to race day, Myprotein will also host its Move Club at Veronica’s, Bandra on 2 May at 7.00 am. The shakeout run will offer a sneak peek of Hyrox’s run component and connect the brand with Mumbai’s fitness community.

    Social media influencers and fitness icons such as Ria Kataria, Lakhvinder Singh, Piyu Sharma, Prashanth Sharma, Daman Singh, Pooja, and Abhishek Parhiar will also be seen at the event.

    Hyrox Mumbai 2025 Details:

    . Date: 3 May 2025 (Saturday)

    . Time: 9.00 am onwards

    .  Venue: Nesco Pvt Ltd, Goregaon, Mumbai

    Move Club Mumbai Details:

    .  Date: 2 May 2025 (Friday)

    .  Time: 7.00 am onwards

    .  Venue: Veronica’s, Bandra West, Mumbai

  • Pitch perfect! NIIF clinches Alea Cup in a thrilling corporate showdown

    Pitch perfect! NIIF clinches Alea Cup in a thrilling corporate showdown

    MUMBAI: It was wickets over wallets and boundaries over balance sheets as Mumbai’s financial elite swapped suits for cricket whites at the third edition of the Alea Cup, hosted at the Western Railway Sports Ground. Sponsored by Alea Consulting and held under the umbrella of Saran Sports’ iconic CC7 tournament, the clash brought together six powerhouse teams from the financial world including heavyweights like NIIF, Kotak Investment, CPP Investments, and Apollo Asset Management.

    And what a finish it was. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a nail-biting final against Investec Capital, adding another feather to its sporting cap after past glory in previous editions. The Alea Cup, which has seen participation from the likes of KKR, Brookfield, JM Financial Private Equity, and Xponentia Capital, has fast become a marquee event for those who crunch numbers by day and smash sixes by dusk.

    The tournament is part of the Saran Sports CC7 series, recognised by the Limca Book of Records as the world’s longest-running corporate cricket event. Since 1997, over 1,500 corporate teams have padded up for what is arguably India’s most spirited fusion of boardroom ambition and backyard banter.

    Alea Consulting founder Deepak Bhawnani said, “Alea Cup offers working professionals a chance to engage in a sport they enjoy, providing personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement while promoting physical fitness and mental well-being. Our objective is to instil values such as teamwork and sportsmanship in the players. It also provides opportunities to connect with colleagues and professionals from other companies, which can be beneficial for career growth and business opportunities.”

    Far from a mere weekend escape, the Alea Cup has come to symbolise the camaraderie, competitiveness, and community that cricket inspires across all walks of life. It honours not only the nation’s love for the sport but also the human side of the finance industry where handshakes can be as important as half-centuries, and shared memories outlast match scores.

    With each edition, the tournament continues to hit it out of the park proving once again that whether on the field or in finance, strategy, stamina, and synergy remain a winning combo.