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Category: Sports

  • RCB appoints Big Bash winner Luke Williams as WPL head coach

    RCB appoints Big Bash winner Luke Williams as WPL head coach

    Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has roped in Australia’s Luke Williams as the head coach for the RCB women’s team for WPL.

    The 43-year-old Adelaide-born former cricketer has played first-class cricket for South Australia. In his four-season stint as a head coach of Adelaide Strikers, Williams guided the team to their first Women’s Big Bash League crown in 2022-2023 after two runners-up finishes.

    Associated with Southern Brave as their assistant coach, Luke, with a performance-oriented vision turned the fortunes and guided the team to their first-ever Women’s Hundred Championship.

    He also spent four years with South Australian Scorpions in the Women’s National Cricket League (50 overs) and guided them to runner-up position on two occasions. He was the head coach of Australia A side that toured England earlier this year.

    On the occasion, Diageo India and RCB chairman & chief commercial officer Prathmesh Mishra said, “I extend a heartfelt welcome to Luke Williams as he takes the reins of the RCB women’s team. With his expertise and leadership, our goal is to embody the spirit of Royal Challengers Bangalore, to play bold and embark on a journey filled with determination, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, aiming to make our fans and supporters proud.”

    “I am thrilled to have been provided this opportunity with RCB and can’t wait to get started with the team’s preparations for the second season of the WPL. I look forward to working with a playing group that will host a number of the most exciting players in Indian and world cricket as we look to bring a bold and exciting style of play and success to our huge and passionate fan base,” Williams expressed his excitement on joining the RCB Women’s Team.

    RCB is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and is actively working towards building a strong and competitive women’s cricket team for the upcoming seasons. RCB remains committed to our pursuit of excellence on and off the field.

  • “The uplift in ROI through cricket on TV associations is significant for us”: Mondelez India’s Anjali Madan

    “The uplift in ROI through cricket on TV associations is significant for us”: Mondelez India’s Anjali Madan

    Mumbai: The festive season brings a double whammy for advertisers and brands as the Asia Cup and the much-awaited World Cup (Hosts – India) is set to take the country by storm. With a potential reach of 600+ million, the World Cup on television is the place to be for advertisers looking to capture the attention of viewers during the festive season. The interview series “Pitch Perfect” discusses with leading marketers their thoughts about the World Cup and how advertisers can best leverage the mega event on television.

    Indiantelevision.com’s Anil NM Wanvari in a fireside chat with Mondelez India Anjali Madan association with Cricket on Live TV.

    Your thoughts on India winning the recently concluded Asia Cup which you were a part of on TV

    Well, I was definitely elated and it’s a great thing for the team and Indian viewers with the World Cup coming up. We were at the Asia Cup as a sponsor brand. It’s a great investment for us from an opportunity standpoint.

    On your thoughts about the World Cup 2023 and any plans to leveraging this opportunity

    The timing is absolutely perfect for us. It’s also the time of the year when all our brands are, targeting different sets of consumers for the festive season. We have a large gifting portfolio of brands and chocolates have now become ubiquitous to the gifting category. So we will be going live with some interesting campaigns at that point in time and the timing couldn’t get better.

    On how Mondelez is planning to leverage Cricket World Cup on television

    There is going to be a lot of excitement around it. We are expecting that a lot of people will tune in to watch the megaevent. We have a remarkably interesting campaign that we are launching at that point in time. I cannot reveal too much about it. But it’s a campaign that you will see centered around one of our brands that has a very large share in our portfolio.

    We also have a campaign for Cadbury Dairy Milk. Cadbury Dairy Milk every year comes live on to the IPL. We have a theme of generosity around the brand. So you will see the generosity campaign coming to life again during the World Cup and there’s a lot of engagement planned with the brand. It’s a very new and refreshing take on generosity for the campaign this year. That’s what we have planned in the pipeline. Definitely I think it’s going to be one of those events where everybody is going to be glued to their TV sets for sure or their mobiles to catch the action.

    On how Mondelez has benefited from its continued partnerships with Star Sports on major cricketing events

    Like every year, we have a very interesting campaign that we do with the IPL with the network that we are working with this year for the World Cup. I think one of the big things that we see every year for us when we do IPL is that the ROI uplift for us is significant. We see almost a 3-4X uplift that happens in the brand metrics as well as our ROI numbers when we are on cricket. And that’s a huge impact property for us that we’re building.

    The association also means that they help us get the right talent on board. They also help us with planning out how our activity should happen. We have special content snippets that we have, we have placement that happens at the opportune moment during the sporting season. I would say that they are indispensable partners of ours for all these years. Undeniably, they are the ones that helped us bring the eyeballs in so a very strong partnership over there.

    On the role of cricket on television has played for Mondelez in driving impact

    I think one thing for sure is that television helps you get that quick, rich build-up that you need, especially with a high-impact property, like sports and cricket. You get that build-up almost immediately for your campaign, what also helps us is that there is a lot of peripheral activity that happens as well, apart from the main sporting event itself, right. Apart from just the matches, there’s a lot of other conversations that happen. Those conversations that happen around the matches, what is happening in the back rooms, and what is happening with the players and the commentary and all that helps us build a lot of the storytelling that we want to do for our brand. We leverage that I would say phenomenally well with Star Sports and our association over the last few years.

    Even today, watching a sport on a big screen is an experience in itself. A lot of people who watch sports on their mobile phones probably are catching up on what they have missed between the big events in the activity. Watching the World Cup or watching the IPL or watching any sport on a large television screen has its own charm and the role of television is undeniable in that case. What we did with Star Sports is every year in partnership with them, we work very closely with their content and editorial team to build the central thought or idea that we have around the brand. 

  • SG Sports led by APL Apollo acquires ‘Bengaluru Spartans’ ahead of Tennis Premier League 2023

    SG Sports led by APL Apollo acquires ‘Bengaluru Spartans’ ahead of Tennis Premier League 2023

    Mumbai: In yet another venture into the sporting world, SG Sports led by APL Apollo has acquired ‘Bengaluru Spartans’, one of the eight teams that will be participating in the much-awaited Tennis Premier League- TPL 2023. With the ownership of this team with SG Sports Ventures now, it has been renamed as ‘Bengaluru SG Mavericks’ with ace tennis player Sania Mirza as its brand ambassador. A new logo of the team has also been launched. ‘Bengaluru SG Mavericks’ is a complete team with both men and women tennis players who will participate in the high-octane sporting event in December, in different formats like Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, and Men’s Doubles.

    APL Apollo is a leading structural steel tube brand with over 55 per cent share in the domestic market. Its strategic arm, SG Sports, is committed to significantly impacting the sporting industry.APL Apollo Tubes Ltd chief managing director (CMD) Sanjay Gupta has a huge passion for sports. This segment is dedicated to supporting and nourishing young sporting talent in India.

    The fifth edition of the highly anticipated tournament is set to be held in December this year, with all the matches taking place at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune. The adrenaline-packed event is being organized under the auspices of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA). The popularity of TPL can be gauged from the fact that many celebrities have been associated with it. Among them are Sonu Sood, Arjun Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Rakul Preet Singh, Leander Paes, and Sonali Bendre. Sania Mirza has been with the team for the last three years and this would be her fourth year supporting Bengaluru. Leander Paes also has been associated since the beginning of this league and makes sure he is there for all the matches.

    Expressing his enthusiasm for the venture, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd CMD Sanjay Gupta. said, “This is a great opportunity for our company to associate with the spirit of sports that teaches us the most valuable lessons in life. We look forward to this association with Bengaluru Spartans which is Bengaluru SG Mavericks now and wish each player ahead of the trailblazing contest to be held in December this year. It is an also amazing start with this league sport that has been gaining more and more popularity in India. It will be great to witness that the new talent will rub shoulders with some of the most versatile tennis players in the world Overall, it is a great moment to associate the name of the brand with a sport that is popular worldwide.”

    Bengaluru SG Mavericks brand ambassador Sania Mirza said, “I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting venture and obliged to SG Sports for choosing me as their brand ambassador. As a former tennis player and woman, I feel that India has a lot of potential in terms of sports and tennis has seen more and more interest from our young generation recently. Still, there are miles to go before we shine on the world stage in this sport and Tennis Premier League provides a brilliant opportunity for young and upcoming players to prove their mettle on the court. SG Sports is doing a great job in supporting such budding players and giving them an ideal platform where they can compete with top players and learn from their skills.”

    The other participating teams in TPL 2023 include the Bengal Wizards, Mumbai Leon Army, Punjab Tigers, Pune Jaguars, Bengaluru Spartans, Delhi Binny’s Brigade, Hyderabad Strikers, and Gujarat Panthers. Pertinent to mention here that Indian tennis legend Leander Paes has recently announced his acquisition of a stake in the Bengal franchise.

    As far as the TPL format is concerned, it has eight franchises that will play a total of five matches to qualify for the semi-final. Each match between two franchises will have a total of 4 games (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles). Each match will be worth 20 points, thus there will be a total of 80 points at stake in each contest. Each team will play a total of 400 points (80 points x 5 matches) at the league stage. The top 4 teams in the points table will qualify for the semi-finals.

    The Tennis Premier League (TPL), packages traditional tennis into a highly entertaining tournament to capture the imagination of fans. With an unorthodox format, it is set to be a tennis equivalent to the Indian Premier League and is returning for its fifth season this year. The league is poised to write yet another chapter in the annals of Indian tennis history, as fans eagerly await the start of TPL 2023. Sports outside of cricket are gaining more traction among Indian audiences. Tennis has a sizeable following in India, with close to 100 million viewers that watched the sport on TV last year. 

  • Hyderabad hosts College Rivals pan-India esports showdown

    Hyderabad hosts College Rivals pan-India esports showdown

    Mumbai:  Ampverse DMI has brought its much-anticipated esports collegiate tournament, College Rivals, to  Hyderabad. College Rivals, which has already taken Delhi by storm, is making a grand arrival in Hyderabad, with its awe-inspiring gaming truck.  Following a spectacular grand finale that concluded the Delhi chapter, College Rivals’ focus now moves to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai.

    The overwhelming response from students and colleges in Delhi, coupled with the event’s robust presence on social media, underscores its surging popularity. With a staggering 13,000 registrations received through both online and offline channels, College Rivals has unquestionably seized the imagination of the youth and shows no signs of slowing down.

    With this second phase in Hyderabad, College Rivals continues its dedicated efforts to nurture esports talent by engaging with the thriving gaming culture in India’s educational institutions. The arrival of the College Rivals IP in Hyderabad marks the beginning of an exhilarating new chapter in Ampverse DMI’s mission to elevate competitive gaming and foster fellowship among college students. Hyderabad has emerged as an online gaming hub, and gaming enthusiasts await engaging in an unmatched experience in esports that is enabling a growing gaming culture in India.

    Prepare for an event that promises to unlock Hyderabad’s gaming potential as Ampverse DMI welcomes students and gamers from all corners of the city to embark on this extraordinary journey. The College Rivals mobile gaming truck will traverse Hyderabad, conducting player selections and providing an immersive experience. Participants will dive into a world of high-stakes esports, fiercely contested tournaments, engaging influencer interactions, pulsating live DJ performances, and limitless entertainment.

    Expressing his excitement, Ampverse India country head Ashwin Haryani said “We are delighted to bring the College Rivals tournament to the vibrant city of Hyderabad. This marks a pivotal moment in our mission to unite and empower the gaming community within India’s educational institutions. Partnering with DMI Finance, we are set to redefine the esports landscape. Get ready, Hyderabad, for an unforgettable journey into the heart of competitive gaming”

     

     

  • Skyesports Souvenir 2023: India clinches a decisive 2-0 victory against Pakistan

    Skyesports Souvenir 2023: India clinches a decisive 2-0 victory against Pakistan

    Mumbai: The iconic rivalry between India and Pakistan made its way to a new game today as the best of the two countries fought it out in Counter-Strike for international glory in the Skyesports Souvenir 2023. The match saw India, represented by Gods Reign, take down Pakistan 2-0 in an exhilarating series filled with nail-biting action, individual clutches, and comebacks.

    The first game on Mirage was a truly intense one as both teams traded rounds to find themselves in overtime. Team India eventually came out on top with a stupendous clutch by Ember in the final round. The second map, on the other hand, took place on Ancient. While India got off to a great start with a score of 4-0, Pakistan regained their in the later part of the match to bring the score to 14-10, just inches away from taking the series to a third map. However, Team India showed resilience and made a comeback to win the next six rounds back-to-back and clutch the series.

    “Undoubtedly, this was our most challenging series in the Skyesports Souvenir International Playoffs,” said Gods Reign’s (Team India) captain, Hrishikesh ‘Crazy_Gamer’ Shenoy. “Securing this win and making a major comeback in Map Two was exhilarating. We entered the game confident, and I’m proud we maintained composure against a tough opponent. Our vision is now on the upcoming UAE match, which could secure our place in the finals.”

    With this victory, Team India are tied with Team UAE at the top of the standings as both teams have three victories with zero losses. The two powerhouses are set to meet on 28 September. All the action can be caught live on the Skyesports YouTube and Loco channels.

    The Skyesports Souvenir, powered by AMD and Microsoft, is a cross-regional Counter-Strike esports tournament featuring India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The countries will fight across a single-round robin format, with each match being the best-of-three games in the Group Stage. The top two teams from here will then advance to the Grand Finals, taking place on Sept. 30 to crown a champion. 

  • The 2024 MotoGP season announces race weekend set for 20-22 September

    The 2024 MotoGP season announces race weekend set for 20-22 September

    Mumbai: Within just two days of the phenomenal success story of the inaugural edition of MotoGP Bharat. The global governing body of motorcycle racing FIM, announced MotoGP’s return to India in 2024. The Grand Prix of India will be held as the 16th race in its calendar, after San Marino GP as per the provisional calendar released globally.

    The inaugural edition of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India set new benchmarks in motorsport history, drawing over one lakh enthusiastic spectators from India and across the globe with a global telecast across 195 nations, it was truly a global phenomenon which proudly announced India’s arrival in the global arena of MotoSports. Remarkably with a business turnover of Rs 930 crore, the Grand Prix of India’s inclusion in next year’s calendar is a significant reflection of the economic potential such a global event can bring with it.

    Hosted at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, the event witnessed a global influx of close to 15,000 foreign visitors who were genuinely amazed at the global standards and facilities the race and the organisers had to offer.

    The race witnessed high adrenaline drama with the Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi making his lasting impact with a strong pole position for VR46 which was cheered by an animated and charged up crowd across the MGS and other stands and over a million fans across the world on TV and OTT platforms. Interestingly, the media centre saw a huge influx of over 150 of the world’s best auto journalists who were praiseworthy of the race and the organisation of the same which facilitated them to share the race details and a perspective to millions of fans and readers across the world.

    What was even more incredible is that the weekend witnessed a strong inflow of spectators from across various parts of India and the world as the weekend promised a host of activities and experiences in the Fan Zone with different auto and lifestyle brands wooing the spectators with a host of activities like live music, gaming zones, F&B, FMX live stunting, Red Bull Wingsuit Jump to mention a few.

    The race also drew the attention of several celebs like the most famous motorcycling ambassador John Abraham, Bollywood heartthrob Ranveer Singh, the stylish cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, ever-popular Yuvraj Singh and Gul Panag who cheered the crowds and enjoyed the spectacle.

    Noteworthy was the immaculate event planning and logistics which saw over 5,000 foreign technical/ back-end team members working seamlessly for the racing teams in MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 and making sure that the race went through without a single glitch and the machines performed their very best.

    IAS Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC) Uttar Pradesh government Manoj Kumar Singh opined, “MotoGP Bharat has paved the road for a long-term investment opportunity and economic surge. Uttar Pradesh is geared up for a global influx of investors and assured them a collective and inclusive growth with an amiable macro-economic environment. Uttar Pradesh has always been a destination of choice for global initiatives. With MotoGP Bharat at its core, we are bullish about the future, which will usher in sustained long-term growth for global brands in the Auto industry in the years to come”.

    FairStreet Sport Pushkar Nath Srivastava, founder and chief operating officer of, the Indian promoter of MotoGP, shared his thoughts on the occasion, saying, “In a country with a significant following for various sports, including cricket, the growing viewership for motorsports is a remarkable achievement for both the organisers and the global body. With the next year’s dates announced, our aim is to intensify our efforts and return next year even stronger, with enhanced race track, logistical arrangements, promotions & marketing, and brand awareness.”

    Organized by FairStreet Sports in collaboration with Dorna Sports, the IndianOil Grand Prix of India featured renowned names like Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Jack Miller, and Jorge Martin.

    KTM India, Ducati India, Honda Racing India, Yamaha Motor India, Aprilia India, and Michelin have come on board as industry partners in the inaugural edition while Red Bull India, OLA, 24seven, Radio Mirchi 98.3, R.E. Rogers India were event sponsors. Apollo Hospitals, MeduLance, and Jaypee Hospital were medical partners and Bushmills India was the celebrations partner. BookMyShow had come on board as a ticketing partner. Robin Hood Army & Vedica Himalayan Spring Water became the event partners.

    A special conclave “INVEST UP” was organized on the sidelines of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India where 300 CXOs’ and global representatives participated in the Conclave. 

  • Chennaiyin FC renews four-year partnership with ACKO as associate sponsor

    Chennaiyin FC renews four-year partnership with ACKO as associate sponsor

    Mumbai: Chennaiyin FC have renewed their long-standing association with ACKO as the team’s associate sponsor for the 2023-24 Indian football season.

    The partnership enters its fourth year and is a testament to the commitment and shared values of both organisations.

    “We are delighted to have ACKO by our side for another season. Their commitment to fostering talent at the grassroots level and bringing fans closer to the club has been commendable. We are excited about embarking on a journey to accomplish shared milestones in the upcoming season,” commented Chennaiyin FC vice-president Ekansh Gupta.

    Founded in 2016 as India’s first digital insurer, ACKO is currently the fastest-growing insurance company in the country. As a long-term partner, ACKO has been a staunch supporter of Chennaiyin FC, actively engaging and offering holistic support for Chennaiyin FC’s various endeavours.

    Through its partnership with Chennaiyin FC, ACKO has been able to expand its footprint and succeed in Tamil Nadu. The association aims to not only provide fans with unique experiences but also enhance brand recall and affinity among the loyal and passionate fan base of Marina Machans.

    “We are glad to extend our partnership with Chennaiyin FC and support this beloved football team. We are looking to build on our association from previous years and increase further engagement with the fan groups of CFC. This collaboration underscores ACKO’s unwavering commitment to fostering trust and genuine connections with the city and its people. Chennai remains a pivotal market in our expansion journey and this partnership continues to be a key ingredient of weaving ourselves into the cultural fabric of the city,” ACKO senior director of marketing Nitin Khanna opined.  

    An important facet of the partnership will be the naming of the B Stand at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, which seats one of the club’s loyal fan groups, to the ‘ACKO Stand’.

    Chennaiyin FC are scheduled to play their second match of the Indian Super League 2023-24 season against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati on Friday.

     

  • Sun King announces electrifying partnership with Bengaluru FC

    Sun King announces electrifying partnership with Bengaluru FC

    Mumbai: Sun King, a renowned name across lighting, electrical, and solar industries, is proud to announce its partnership with Bengaluru FC, establishing itself as the official lighting partner. This collaboration will see Sun King integrating the football team’s brand across its marketing collaterals and product packaging.

    An electrifying partnership

    Embarking on a partnership until July 2024, Sun King is set to illuminate the experiences of Bengaluru FC fans with a 360-degree campaign launching soon. The comprehensive campaign will not just limit itself to vivid marketing collateral but also offer Bengaluru FC aficionados a golden opportunity to meet their favourite players, such as Sunil Chhetri, India’s all-time top goal scorer and world number three top goal scorer after Messi and Ronaldo at the international level. Select lucky Sun King customers will also get free tickets to witness the positively electric atmosphere of a live match in Sree Kanteerava Stadium, aptly dubbed the Fortress.

    A shared commitment to community and environment

    Unlike many clubs in India with a long heritage, Bengaluru FC was established only in July 2013. Yet, its swift rise as a powerhouse in Indian football is undeniable. Similarly, Sun King, founded in 2009, rapidly ascended as a significant player in the Indian electrical and solar sector. With their pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial flair, both brands naturally complement one another.

    Sun King delivers green electrical solutions, helping communities enhance their surroundings with clean solar energy and energy-efficient fans, lights, and light bulbs, helping families and businesses make affordable, green, and smart choices.

    Through its ‘For The Planet’ initiative, Bengaluru FC ardently advocates for the adoption of renewable energy, given the mounting concerns of electricity shortages in various parts of India. Emphasising the immense potential of solar energy, the club underscores that solar panels can efficiently produce power even on overcast days, with long-term benefits including pollution reduction, energy independence, and significant return on investment. This commitment aligns seamlessly with Sun King’s dedication to advancing solar solutions, spotlighting two entities’ harmonious synergy, and championing a cleaner, more sustainable future.

    Voices of enthusiasm

    Surabhi Sharma, Marketing Lead for Asia at Sun King, expressed, “Aligning with Bengaluru FC represents a significant milestone. This partnership mirrors our shared values and drive for excellence. We eagerly anticipate the luminous journey ahead.”

    “Over the years, we’ve continuously strived to reduce the carbon footprint that Bengaluru FC leaves behind on the planet, and our association with Sun King is another step in that direction. We’re looking forward to collaborating with Sun King in a big way this year, and I’m eager to see all the possibilities this partnership holds,” said Darren Caldeira, Bengaluru FC’s Director of Football.

    Shining a light on Sun King products

    Sun King, a global frontrunner in off-grid solar solutions since 2009, proudly serves over 100 million users across 65 countries. Addressing Asia’s energy challenges, they’ve launched the ‘Infinity’ electrical range, targeting both urban and rural communities. This range prioritises energy efficiency, long-lasting battery life, and performance. Their LED product lineup includes a nine-watt LED bulb with a four-hour battery backup to the Trendline 20-watt LED Batten light that boasts a two-year warranty and high-lumen efficacy. With every innovation, Sun King reaffirms its dedication to quality, durability, and energy conservation.

  • FC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 official hospitality packages on sale in India

    FC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 official hospitality packages on sale in India

    Mumbai: MATCH Hospitality Asia has today confirmed that a leading sports travel agency, GainAccess Sports & Entertainment, has been appointed as its Sales Agent in India for the sale of the Official Hospitality Programme of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. The 18 edition of the tournament will take place from 12 January to 10 February 2024.

    GainAccess is one of the leading sports travel agencies in India specialising in servicing both consumer and corporate clients with travel, leisure, ticketing, hospitality programmes and accommodation services for major sporting events.

    MATCH Hospitality Asia is the exclusive global rights holder appointed by the Asian Football Confederation to produce, promote and sell, either directly or via a network of sales agents, official commercial ticket-inclusive hospitality packages for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. MATCH Accommodation Asia has also been appointed as an official accommodation agency and an official Ticket and accommodation Package provider for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

    GainAccess co-founder Rakesh Rajendran added: “GainAccess is honoured to act as an Official Sales Agent for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Official Hospitality Programme in India. Thanks to this agreement, our company will bring this territory a lot closer to the most coveted football competition in Asia”.

    GainAccess will also offer various services in conjunction with the hospitality packages, including flights, accommodation, transport and social events.

    Enrique Byrom CEO of MATCH Hospitality Asia, said, “MATCH Hospitality Asia strongly believes in the unique potential of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. I am delighted to announce our decision to appoint GainAccess in an exciting new chapter in our long-standing relationship”.  

    MATCH Hospitality Asia director John Parker said: “India represents an important territory within our overall strategic sales operations for the AFC Hospitality Programme and, working in partnership with GainAccess, we are extremely optimistic that many Indians will travel to Qatar to support their national team at the Asian Cup Qatar 2023.”  

  • Star Sports cheers for Team India to get eighth consecutive victory against Pakistan at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

    Star Sports cheers for Team India to get eighth consecutive victory against Pakistan at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023

    Mumbai: When India and Pakistan face off in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, it’s more than just a sporting event – it’s a blockbuster that captures the hearts of millions of passionate fans. As the official broadcaster of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the Star Sports Network unveils a quirky and emotionally charged campaign film that is sure to leave fans in anticipation and excitement. With India maintaining a perfect record against Pakistan in the ODI Cricket World Cup, having won all seven encounters between the two sides, the upcoming clash set for 14 October 2023, promises to be a mouth-watering battle that the world eagerly awaits.

    The campaign highlights India’s ‘Wait for Eight,’ as they look to maintain their unblemished record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, while acknowledging the fervent hopes of Pakistani fans for their team’s elusive victory. The film also encapsulates the emotions of Indian cricket fans who vividly remember the World Cup victories against Pakistan and eagerly anticipate another triumph. It also introduces an endearing twist as the ghost of a familiar passionate Pakistani cricket fan, still waiting for his ‘Mauka’ (opportunity) to see his team win against India in the World Cup, meets the confident Indian ghosts, symbolising the unbroken streak of victories India holds against Pakistan in ODI World Cups. The film stars none other than iconic Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, popular Bollywood sensation Shehnaz Gill, and stand-up comedian Akash Gupta. This exceptional ensemble cast seamlessly blends cricket and entertainment to deliver a campaign that is bound to strike a chord with fans across the globe.

    The last game between the ‘Greatest Rivals’ (India & Pakistan) in Asia Cup 2023 was the highest-rated ODI match ever, outside of World Cups. The fervour and enthusiasm surrounding the encounter between these two nations will be at all-time high as they clash at the biggest ICC event in India after more than a decade.