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Category: Sports

  • Fast friends Bigbasket and RCB team up for a 10-minute delivery innings

    Fast friends Bigbasket and RCB team up for a 10-minute delivery innings

    MUMBAI: 10 minutes, andre? Bigbasket. That’s the punchy hook powering a fresh partnership between India’s favourite grocer and Bengaluru’s beloved IPL franchise. In a pitch-perfect move, Bigbasket, a Tata enterprise, has teamed up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the official quick commerce partner for the 2025 Indian Premier League season.

    This isn’t just about bats and bags of groceries, it’s a collaboration that blends Bengaluru’s cultural vibe with the shared values of speed, trust, and local pride. Bigbasket’s lightning-fast 10-minute delivery promise and RCB’s electrifying fanbase are coming together in a campaign that feels as local as filter coffee on a rainy Bengaluru morning.

    To mark the association, bigbasket launched a hyperlocal digital campaign starring none other than Virat Kohli, joined by his RCB squad, engaging in a spirited Kannada wordplay around “andre” (meaning “means”). Whether it’s “Chilling, andre?” (Cubbon Park) or “10 minutes, andre?” (Bigbasket), the ad culminates with comedian Danish Sait, in his Mr. Nags avatar, dressed as a bigbasket delivery partner, stealing the show with a cheeky wink to city life. The campaign has already racked up 9.5 million organic views on Instagram, with cricket legends AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Dinesh Karthik also joining the digital huddle.

    Speaking about this, Bigbasket co-founder & CEO Hari Menon said, “RCB isn’t just a team, it’s a symbol of Bengaluru’s energy, diversity, and resilience. At bigbasket, we see ourselves as a reflection of the same spirit, with our focus on speed, trust, and customer delight. This partnership is a natural extension of our commitment to serving Bengaluru, both on and off the pitch.”

    This IPL season, fans can expect a strong digital presence from bigbasket across RCB’s platforms, complete with behind-the-scenes content, interactive experiences, and on-ground activations like a “Selfie Kiosk” at stadiums, allowing fans to virtually click pics with their cricketing idols.

    Backed by a 10-minute delivery service across 25 plus cities, with over 5,000 plus daily essentials on offer, bigbasket’s quick commerce model is batting for convenience and local love. The RCB association amplifies that brand promise bringing fans a seamless blend of cricket, culture, and consumer delight, all in the time it takes to order a quick snack during an over break.

  • Punjab Kings joins hands with Moengage to elevate fan experience

    Punjab Kings joins hands with Moengage to elevate fan experience

    MUMBAI: Punjab Kings has announced a dynamic collaboration with customer engagement platform Moengage, aiming to take fan experience to the next level with data-driven personalisation and omnichannel automation.

    The cricket club is set to harness Moengage’s analytics capabilities to refine digital interactions, automate fan journeys, and run targeted merchandise campaigns all tailored to fan behaviour and preferences. This move is part of the team’s wider ambition to foster lasting fan relationships and drive meaningful engagement across platforms.

    Punjab Kings will also use the platform to track website activity, collect feedback and referrals, and personalise user experiences based on retention cohorts.

    “We’re thrilled to work with Moengage as we aim to build stronger connections with our fans,” said Punjab Kings chief commercial officer Saurabh Arora. “Their advanced tools now allow us to craft experiences that truly resonate—something we couldn’t achieve without a unified engagement system.”

    Moengage vice president of sales – India Shivangi Boghani added, “This partnership is a fantastic step for sports engagement. With our tech, Punjab Kings can connect with fans more intelligently and meaningfully setting a fresh benchmark in fan-centric strategy.”

    With the cricket season in full swing, this collaboration is set to redefine how franchises interact with their supporters creating richer, more relevant experiences that last well beyond match days.

  • Eurosport India kicks off exclusive MLS Sundays with Messi magic

    Eurosport India kicks off exclusive MLS Sundays with Messi magic

    MUMBAI: Indian football fans, buckle up your boots and clear your Sunday night schedule—Lionel Messi is now part of your weekly primetime ritual. Warner Bros. Discovery just pulled off a neat bit of transfer business of its own, handing Eurosport India the exclusive broadcast rights to Major League Soccer’s (MLS) new crown jewel: Sunday Night Soccer.

    Announced on 8 April 2025, the deal ensures that Indian audiences can now catch some of the world’s biggest football names—Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Alba and more—every Sunday, live and exclusive on Eurosport and Eurosport HD.

    The MLS Sunday Night Soccer initiative is the league’s glitzy new primetime spectacle, pitting top-tier clubs and fierce rivals against each other in weekly headline fixtures. Expect fireworks from marquee matchups like El Tráfico (LA Galaxy vs LAFC), the Hudson River Derby (Red Bulls vs NYCFC), and the Cascadia Cup (Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps).

    The 2025 season builds on a blockbuster 2024 campaign where LA Galaxy snatched their sixth MLS Cup, while Inter Miami CF, co-owned by David Beckham and stacked with Barcelona alumni, topped the regular season to win their maiden Supporters’ Shield.

    Sunday Night Soccer is Major League Soccer’s new prime-time initiative for 2025 season, showcasing the most high-stakes and headline-worthy match of the week. It also aims to become MLS’s marquee viewing event, drawing fans together across time zones.

    With this high-profile addition, Eurosport India continues to flex its muscle as a destination for premium global sport, already home to world-class content across cycling, motorsport, wrestling and more. Now, with Messi’s left foot gracing Indian screens every Sunday, they’ve added a golden boot to the lineup.

  • Women cricket anchors dazzle this IPL season with diamond flair

    Women cricket anchors dazzle this IPL season with diamond flair

    MUMBAI: Cricket may be about bat, ball, and brilliance but this IPL season, there’s another element lighting up screens: bling. As the Tata IPL 2025 sets stadiums ablaze, India’s top women cricket anchors are stepping into the spotlight with more than just stats and sharp commentary they’re shimmering in natural diamonds.

    In a first-of-its-kind partnership, De Beers Group has joined forces with Star Sports and JioHotstar to add sparkle to the studio. Eleven celebrated presenters from across feeds are donning exquisite diamond jewellery during match broadcasts proving that cricket and couture can go hand-in-hand.

    From layered bangles to cocktail rings and statement neckpieces, the diamonds are not just accessories, they’re part of the performance. Whether delivering power plays or pre-match predictions, the anchors are bringing glam to the game, fusing cricket’s high energy with the poise of polished elegance.

    But the shine doesn’t stop there. The partnership has also rolled out a new segment, Real Diamonds of the Week, spotlighting cricketers whose on-field feats echo the qualities of a diamond resilience, brilliance, and timeless appeal. It’s a sparkling tribute that swaps the traditional ‘player of the match’ with something a little more radiant.

    De Beers Group SVP Shweta Harit said, “Cricket and natural diamonds both embody authenticity, excellence and a lasting legacy. Just as the game unites fans across regions and generations, natural diamonds symbolize connections that stand the test of time. This collaboration brings the brilliance of the sport and the timeless allure of diamonds together, making every moment on screen even more memorable.”

    JioStar chief business officer for sports revenue and SMB & creator Ishan Chatterjee,  said, “With record-breaking viewership marking the opening weekend of Tata IPL 2025, cricket continues to unite audiences like never before. This collaboration between De Beers Group and India’s leading women anchors adds brilliance to the game, blending its precision and passion with the timeless elegance of natural diamonds. Just as cricketing icons leave an indelible mark on the field, these presenters shape the narrative with confidence and style, making every moment even more unforgettable.”

    It’s a rare match where sport and sparkle share the screen but one that’s clearly hitting it out of the park. In a league obsessed with sixes, this glittering collaboration is a stylish seventh.

  • Fantasy sport brands clean bowl the recall game as fitness fizzles out

    Fantasy sport brands clean bowl the recall game as fitness fizzles out

    MUMBAI: In the battle of brands, fantasy leagues take the trophy while fitness flops.

    As the IPL 2025 roars on with sixes, super overs and stumping drama, it’s not just cricketers battling it out on the field. Brands, too, are jostling for mind space. But according to a fresh report by Crispinsight and Kadence International, some are swinging big while others barely make the scoreboard.

    The study, called eDART-IPL25, tracked day-after recall among IPL viewers. And here’s the curveball: two in three viewers recalled a fantasy sports brand, making it the MVP of brand recall this season. Tyre brands followed at a steady pace, with one in three fans remembering them. Meanwhile, sports and fitness brands barely broke a sweat, with a miserable one per cent recall despite being very much in the game.

    “Sponsorship-driven visibility and strategic placements are proving to be just as powerful if not more than traditional ad slots in IPL,” said Crispinsight partner Ritesh Ghosal. “While fantasy sports brands dominate recall, many high-spending brands are strug gling to break through the clutter, reinforcing the need for smarter, recall-focused marketing strategies.”

    Big bucks, low bounce?

    Despite ad spends soaring higher than Shubman Gill’s batting average, the findings call bluff on the idea that more money guarantees more memory. It’s the in-game sponsorships, stadium banners, and on-screen moments that’re stealing the limelight—and with it, consumer attention.

    “IPL this year sees a larger number of brands advertising but with lesser depth, making standing out that much tougher,” added Kadence International Aman Makkar. “Our findings highlight the growing importance of sponsorship-led brand placements, which deliver sustained visibility in the live telecast and deeper connection with fans.”

    While traditional advertising has its place, non-FCT (non-film commercial time) methods are now the hot ticket. Think jerseys, LED boards, dugout logos, and anywhere else the camera lingers for more than five seconds. The study indicates that these lower-cost yet high-exposure strategies are proving to be a smarter play.

    As the IPL season barrels forward, Crispinsight and Kadence International plan to publish weekly updates from their eDART tracker, helping brands tweak their campaigns before the final overs run out.

    So, if your brand’s not in the highlights, maybe it’s time to switch the pitch. Because in today’s IPL, if you’re not integrated, you’re invisible.

  • IPL18 ad-splosion – brands in a frenzy for cricket’s hottest ticket: TAM data, 13 matches

    IPL18 ad-splosion – brands in a frenzy for cricket’s hottest ticket: TAM data, 13 matches

    MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a sporting event; it’s an advertising goldmine. New data (22 March to 1 April 2025) from TAM Sports indicates a massive surge in ad volumes, with IPL 18 experiencing a 112 per cent increase for the first 13 matches compared to IPL 17 (22-31 March 2024 ). The scramble for screen time is intense.

    top 5 brands ipl

    IPL 18 is attracting a wave of new players. The number of competing categories has risen by 13 per cent, and the number of advertisers has jumped by an impressive 31 per cent. Brands are clearly banking on the IPL’s broad appeal to connect with India’s passionate cricket audience.

    Mouth freshener brands are currently leading the pack, commanding an 11 per cent share of ad volumes. Ecom-gaming and biscuits are also major contenders, with 10 per cent and nine per cent shares respectively.

    The top five categories collectively account for over 40 per cent of all ad volumes, highlighting the fierce competition at the top. While ecom-gaming and cellular phones maintain a strong presence, the food and beverage sector is making a significant push, with two of the top five categories originating from it.
    top 5 brands iplParle Products holds the top position among advertisers, securing nine per cent of the ad share. The top five advertisers together account for 28 per cent of the total ad volumes.

    IPL 18 is also marked by significant change. 23 new categories and 83 new brands have entered the advertising arena. Emerging categories include cars, ecom-auto rental services, and fashion outlets. In contrast, categories such as range of food products and chocolates are absent this season.

    New brands vying for attention include Platina Hide & Seek and Campa Energy Drink. The advertising landscape is dynamic, with brands fiercely competing for visibility.
     

    top categories IPL

    As the IPL action unfolds on the field, an equally compelling drama is playing out in the advertising world. The stakes are high, and the competition is relentless.

  • Rugby Premier League set to scrum into Mumbai with global firepower

    Rugby Premier League set to scrum into Mumbai with global firepower

    MUMBAI: India’s sporting calendar is about to get a bruising new addition, and no, it’s not another cricket spinoff. Rugby India and GMR Sports have locked horns to launch the world’s first franchise-based Rugby 7s tournament-the Rugby Premier League (RPL). The action kicks off in Mumbai on 1 June 2025, at the iconic MFA (Mumbai Football Arena), promising a 15-day, 34-match blitz of pure, unfiltered speed, tackles, and muscle.

    Picture this: six city-based franchises, 30 international legends, 30 top Indian players, and some of the world’s best coaches, all crammed into two weeks of adrenaline-pumping rugby. It’s not just a league—it’s an all-out blitz on the senses.

    Star-studded doesn’t even begin to cover it. Expect to see legends like Perry Baker (USA), Rosko Speckman (South Africa), Terry Kennedy (Ireland), Scott Curry (New Zealand), and Waisea Nacuqu (Fiji) lighting up the turf. Olympians, World Cup medallists, and serial try-scorers are all confirmed to put on a show. Add 18 more players from Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong, and the RPL becomes a melting pot of bone-crunching brilliance.

    “This is a league that’s been six years in the making, but we wanted to do everything right… Rugby 7s is one of the most attractive television sports in modern history. Welcome, India and the world, to the Rugby Premier League,” said Rugby India president Rahul Bose radiating the kind of energy only a scrum-half could match.

    Franchises representing Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bhubaneswar will feature top coaching minds including Mike Friday, Ben Gollings, Tomasi Cama, and DJ Forbes. Talk about bench strength.

    To give Indian talent its due, 30 domestic players were selected from a pool of 71 via auction—a first for Indian rugby. “The RPL will not only captivate a wider audience but also provide Indian players with invaluable opportunities to compete alongside the world’s best,” said GMR Sports CEO Satyam Trivedi.

    The RPL has already secured an exclusive window on the global Rugby 7s calendar, ensuring zero scheduling conflicts with other international competitions. It’s now or never, and the global rugby fraternity seems to have circled their calendars in red.

    Star Sports and JioHotstar will broadcast the mayhem live, and JioStar CEO – sports Sanjog Gupta promised to bring “every tackle, sprint, and score” to screens across the country.

    With the whistle about to blow on India’s first franchise rugby league, there’s only one question left: Are you game?

  • Hockey’s hot comeback: Hero HIL scores big with Indian viewers

    Hockey’s hot comeback: Hero HIL scores big with Indian viewers

    MUMBAI: The Hero Hockey India League (HIL) has roared back to life after a seven-year hiatus, smashing viewership records and breathing fresh life into the sport. The 2024-25 edition didn’t merely return—it revolutionised the game by introducing the first-ever women’s league alongside the men’s competition, coinciding rather neatly with Indian hockey’s centenary celebrations.

    The numbers tell a cracking tale: a whopping 40.8 million viewers tuned in overall, rocketing 48 per cent above the 2017 figures. The men’s competition captivated 32.9 million fans, while the women’s matches—despite featuring fewer games—pulled in an impressive 15.1 million viewers.

    In a sporting landscape where women’s events typically draw a fraction of male viewership, the HIL has pulled off something of a miracle. At times, the ladies nearly matched their male counterparts in audience figures, with the most-watched women’s match drawing 2.92 million viewers against the men’s final peak of 3.07 million.

    Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey remarked, “The success of Hero HIL 2024–25 is a testament to India’s deep-rooted love for hockey. The overwhelming response from fans, brands, and broadcasters reflects the league’s immense potential. As we move forward, our commitment remains steadfast in elevating Indian hockey to new heights, ensuring that the sport gets the recognition and support it truly deserves.”
     
    The digital realm proved equally fruitful, with social media engagement hitting the roof—over a billion views across platforms, turning hockey chat into the hottest ticket in town.

    Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh stated, “The revival of Hero HIL has been a monumental success, not only in terms of numbers but also in the enthusiasm it has reignited among fans and players alike. This season has proven that hockey continues to hold a special place in India’s sporting culture. The addition of the women’s league is a crucial step towards greater inclusivity and empowerment in sports.”

    The triumphant return builds on hockey’s Olympic momentum, where it accounted for a juicy 15.2 per cent of early Tokyo Games viewership. With these stellar numbers, it seems the stick-and-ball game isn’t just back—it’s positively sizzling.

  • Bravo and Pollard hit replay as Legends League brings back Windies fire

    Bravo and Pollard hit replay as Legends League brings back Windies fire

    MUMBAI: The World Championship of Legends (WCL) Season 2 is set to serve fans a full toss of nostalgia and firepower, with West Indies stalwarts Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard leading the charge. The dynamic duo will don the maroon once again, this time for the West Indies Champions, a franchise that blends national pride with T20 pizzazz.

    Bravo, whose last international outing was in 2021, isn’t just making a casual comeback. “Last time I left cricket, my body wasn’t prepared for what it could handle,” he shared. “Now it’s imperative that with my full attention on returning to T20 cricket, I stay committed and I perform well.”

    Sharing on the excitement of taking the field with Kieron Pollard in the World Championship of Legends second season Dwayne adds, “Me and Kieron have a partnership way before we started playing franchise cricket. The only experience that we are going to share now is that we are going to be representing our nation again which is also our franchise for participation in the World Championship of Legends.”

    At 40-plus, Bravo still holds the swagger of a T20 pioneer boasting a mind-boggling 631 wickets from 582 matches. He redefined death bowling and left an indelible mark on franchise cricket globally. Now, he’s out to prove that class, like a good calypso beat, never fades.

    Joining him is longtime teammate and fellow West Indian legend Kieron Pollard, whose credentials are equally stellar 600 plus appearances and 11,000 runs in T20s, along with leading West Indies’ white-ball sides between 2019 and 2022.

    Kieron Pollard also shares happiness on Bravo’s comeback for the World Championship of Legends season, he shares, “Hearing Dwayne coming back to play melts my heart. Dwayne is a true champion and the kind of cricketing career he had once, one can never argue that he has had it well and he has given back to cricket a lot.”

    West Indies Champions owner Ajay Sethi who also acquired the franchise back in 2024 shared, “It is like reliving history in all its glory. Having Bravo and Pollard return to play T20 cricket is like bringing old friendship that defined West Indies’ golden era. To see them represent their own nation again in T20 is a moment that can never be forgotten.

    World Championship of Legends founder & CEO Harshit Tomar commented on the significance of their inclusion: “The addition of Bravo and Pollard to the West Indies Legends squad marks a significant turning point for the championship’s second season. They will raise the tournament’s profile with their all rounder skills and captivating demeanor on and off the field.”

    Easemytrip CEO and co-founder Nishant Pitti expressed his excitement about the announcement: “We are excited to welcome Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo to the Easemytrip World Championship of Legends. Fans will surely swarm the stands due to their immense star power.”

    The event, approved by the England and Wales Cricket Board, isn’t just another friendly fixture, it’s the only official T20 tournament for retired pros, and it’s taken the nostalgia market by storm. Held in England, cricket’s spiritual home, the six-franchise format pits greats from South Africa, Australia, India, Pakistan, England, and the West Indies in a format that mixes sentiment with serious skill.

    The second season of the World Championship of Legends promises high-octane action, high-stakes nostalgia, and a reminder that legends never truly retire, they just take longer warm-ups.

  • Birla Estates and RCB forge stronger ties with star-studded T20 campaign

    Birla Estates and RCB forge stronger ties with star-studded T20 campaign

    MUMBAI: Birla Estates, has launched its much-anticipated Indian T20 2025 campaign, featuring Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Krunal Pandya. With the tagline ‘Every sq.ft. tells a story’, the campaign highlights the dreams, aspirations, and emotions that make every home special.

    Taking its association with cricket a step further, Birla Estates is now the principal sponsor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the upcoming T20 season. This marks the fourth consecutive year of collaboration, reinforcing shared values of excellence, ambition, and perseverance between the brand and the sport.

    The campaign, conceptualised by Mccann, features three engaging digital films that draw a compelling parallel between Chinnaswamy Stadium RCB’s iconic home ground and Birla Estates homes. Just as every patch of grass and every square foot of ground at Chinnaswamy has witnessed unforgettable moments, every square foot of a Birla home holds priceless memories encapsulated in the campaign’s core message, Storiespersqft.

    One of the campaign’s standout films showcases Kohli executing a stunning mid-air catch, with the voiceover stating, “To feel superhuman. just 5 sq.ft.” Another features Kohli and Krunal exchanging a fist bump while running between the wickets, with the tagline, “To become great partners. it takes 22 yards.” These visuals cleverly reinforce the idea that significant moments don’t require vast spaces—just meaningful ones.

    Birla Estates head of marketing Anitha Krishnan stated, “Our long-standing partnership with RCB has evolved over the seasons, and we take immense pride in being the principal sponsor, with our brand prominently displayed on the players’ jerseys. This placement reflects our deep commitment to cricket as a platform that resonates with our audience. Our campaign is an extension of our larger corporate vision—one that goes beyond building structures to creating spaces that tell meaningful stories. Just as every cricketing milestone represents years of dedication and achievement, every home becomes a backdrop for life’s most cherished moments. Through this campaign, we aim to create a strong emotional connection with homebuyers—aligning their aspirations with the journey of cricketers. It beautifully blends the passion for cricket with the pride of homeownership—two defining milestones in Indian culture.”

    RCB COO Rajesh Menon added, “We are delighted to continue our association with Birla Estates as a valued member of the RCB family. Their commitment to excellence and innovation mirrors the ethos of our team. Together, we aim to elevate the fan experience and create unforgettable memories both on and off the field. This partnership is a testimony to our shared vision of inspiring and engaging millions of cricket enthusiasts.”

    Last year, Birla Estates’ T20 campaign generated 41.3 million impressions and reached over 10 million fans. As the 2025 season unfolds, cricket lovers can look forward to an exciting line-up of games, digital activations, and engaging initiatives—all driven by this powerful collaboration.