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Tag: Ajit Agarkar

  • ESPNcricinfo launches new, reimagined app

    ESPNcricinfo launches new, reimagined app

    MUMBAI:  ESPNcricinfo’s news website recently launched a new and reimagined app on its 25th anniversary celebration this year. The new app reinforces the brand’s position as an innovator, introducing new features and delivers a unique blend of personalisation and performance along with the best coverage of the sport in India and globally.  

    The reimagined ESPNcricinfo phone app has more personal and dynamic and would be unique experience to each user based on their particular interests, while also enabling meaningful curation and presentation from ESPN’s storytellers, journalists and content creators. Cricket fans get:

    • Super-fast, easy-to-access scores and the world’s most respected news, features and opinion coverage of cricket, presented in an integrated main content feed
    • A powerful, easy-to-use interface that enhances user-driven personalisation
    • Rich presentation of ESPNcricinfo’s industry-leading video content, including highlights, clips, original shows, commentary and analysis, all delivered right on the home screen.

    ESPN India and South Asia head vice president Ramesh Kumar said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the re-imagined app, giving each and every fan a more personal experience with our industry leading scores, news and video.”

    “We have always kept fans at the core of all we do. The new app marks the latest evolution in our storied history as one of the internet’s digital sports pioneers and is another way that ESPNcricinfo is raising the game for cricket fans in creating the best experience across every device and platform. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, ESPNcricinfo is more committed than ever to being every fans digital connection to the sport loved by nearly two billion people worldwide,” he added.

    Fans can also watch live match action on ESPN.in.

    From June 2017 to May 2018, ESPNcricinfo has seen a 50 per cent year-on-year increase in total minutes spent and a 300 per cent increase in video consumption. It is one of the most visited digital sports destinations in India with over one billion visits annually.

    ESPNcricinfo’s programming around the series comprises pre and post-match shows, video highlights, though-provoking analysis with unmatched statistical data, specially designed to bring the game closer to fans. To help deliver its coverage, ESPNcricinfo has roped in top cricket talent as experts, including Mark Butcher, Steve Harmison, James Taylor, Ravi Bopara and Nick Compton, who mesh seamlessly with their Indian counterparts Murali Kartik Ajit Agarkar, Aakash Chopra and Murali Kartik.

  • Hyundai Cricjockey S2 begins hunt for most passionate fan

    Hyundai Cricjockey S2 begins hunt for most passionate fan

    MUMBAI: Hyundai Motor India, in partnership with ESPNcricinfo, has taken the upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series a notch higher by launching a talent hunt to discover India’s most passionate cricket fan. Through this, cricket fans can showcase their expertise in cricket:

    The Hyundai Cricjockey 2 powered by ESPNcricinfo, will be a multi-phased contest open for fans to submit their entries on the CricJockey website – www.hyundaicricjockey.com by submitting an analysis/commentary on a match scenario identified by the ESPNcricinfo editorial. The best entries from the contestants stand to win goodies every day and will be featured on the CricJockey website.

    Apart from the online edition, the contest will also see an on-ground element with a 4 city ground event at Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune where cricket fanatics will submit their entries along with the extensive digital promotion.

    “Cricket is a game that families and friends experience together, much like the cars Hyundai makes. Hyundai is proud to be the ‘Official Partner’ of BCCI for the next four years across the three formats- Test, One day and T20. We are proud to announce the CricJockey Season 2, giving all ardent cricket fans a chance to exhibit their commentary skills,” said Hyundai Motor India general manager and group head marketing Puneet Anand.

    The eminent jury includes former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar, ESPNcricinfo editor in chief Sambit Bal, senior editor Gaurav Kalra and other prominent members from ESPNcricinfo editorial team. They will identify the top eight who will proceed to the semi-finals. These eight contestants will battle it out to reach the finale where one will win the coveted title at the ESPNcricinfo studios. The winner will be declared on 29 October.

    ESPN Digital Media India head of sales Akshaya Kolhe added, “We know that cricket fans in India are among the most passionate and vocal in the world. CricJockey is a platform that gives a chance to cricket fans to transition beyond an ultimate fan and become a potential professional talent. With season 2 our association with Hyundai Motor India has gone further ahead, bringing one of the most existing and entertaining contest to our Fans. This only further reinforces our commitment to our fans by providing the best of “Game around the Game” content.”

    The top three finalists will be tested on their cricket analysis skill by participating on the special post-match review segment for the ODI played between India and New Zealand on the match day. They will be acquainted with the entire cricket reporting process and will go through the grinds of covering cricket matches alongside the ESPNcricinfo editorial team.

    The first season of Hyundai Cricjockey gave the cricket fans of the country a platform to showcase their expertise in the game and their ability to comprehend the nuances of the sport in front of a jury made up of the ESPNcricinfo editorial. The 2013 edition saw more than 8000 entries from across India where the best of the talent fought it out to claim the title.

  • Hyundai Cricjockey S2 begins hunt for most passionate fan

    Hyundai Cricjockey S2 begins hunt for most passionate fan

    MUMBAI: Hyundai Motor India, in partnership with ESPNcricinfo, has taken the upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series a notch higher by launching a talent hunt to discover India’s most passionate cricket fan. Through this, cricket fans can showcase their expertise in cricket:

    The Hyundai Cricjockey 2 powered by ESPNcricinfo, will be a multi-phased contest open for fans to submit their entries on the CricJockey website – www.hyundaicricjockey.com by submitting an analysis/commentary on a match scenario identified by the ESPNcricinfo editorial. The best entries from the contestants stand to win goodies every day and will be featured on the CricJockey website.

    Apart from the online edition, the contest will also see an on-ground element with a 4 city ground event at Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Pune where cricket fanatics will submit their entries along with the extensive digital promotion.

    “Cricket is a game that families and friends experience together, much like the cars Hyundai makes. Hyundai is proud to be the ‘Official Partner’ of BCCI for the next four years across the three formats- Test, One day and T20. We are proud to announce the CricJockey Season 2, giving all ardent cricket fans a chance to exhibit their commentary skills,” said Hyundai Motor India general manager and group head marketing Puneet Anand.

    The eminent jury includes former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar, ESPNcricinfo editor in chief Sambit Bal, senior editor Gaurav Kalra and other prominent members from ESPNcricinfo editorial team. They will identify the top eight who will proceed to the semi-finals. These eight contestants will battle it out to reach the finale where one will win the coveted title at the ESPNcricinfo studios. The winner will be declared on 29 October.

    ESPN Digital Media India head of sales Akshaya Kolhe added, “We know that cricket fans in India are among the most passionate and vocal in the world. CricJockey is a platform that gives a chance to cricket fans to transition beyond an ultimate fan and become a potential professional talent. With season 2 our association with Hyundai Motor India has gone further ahead, bringing one of the most existing and entertaining contest to our Fans. This only further reinforces our commitment to our fans by providing the best of “Game around the Game” content.”

    The top three finalists will be tested on their cricket analysis skill by participating on the special post-match review segment for the ODI played between India and New Zealand on the match day. They will be acquainted with the entire cricket reporting process and will go through the grinds of covering cricket matches alongside the ESPNcricinfo editorial team.

    The first season of Hyundai Cricjockey gave the cricket fans of the country a platform to showcase their expertise in the game and their ability to comprehend the nuances of the sport in front of a jury made up of the ESPNcricinfo editorial. The 2013 edition saw more than 8000 entries from across India where the best of the talent fought it out to claim the title.

  • ESPN Cricinfo to bring more original programming

    ESPN Cricinfo to bring more original programming

    MUMBAI: After introducing shows like Match Day, On the Road, Polite Enquiries, and Two Men Out at the time of World T20, ESPN Cricinfo has added on to the cricket fever this IPL with The Friendly Toast to provide comprehensive coverage and quality insights that Cricinfo has always provided to its fans through television. The website has plans to bring in more original programming with some of its shows on television.

    Aired daily on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, The Friendly Toast at 8.30 am provides fans with a sharp reading of the game, making sense of the numbers and honest analysis of the day’s play – All of this in a fun and entertaining manner through the gamified interface of experts ‘owning’ teams for the duration of the show. Some of the most respected voices in cricket such as Ajit Agarkar, Daryll John Cullian, Dirk Peter Nannes and Iain Edward O’ Brien present the match analysis.

    Speaking with Indiantelevision.com, ESPN Cricinfo India and South Asia editor-in-chief Sambit Bal said, “There is only an Extra Innings on Sony and we thought there is place for another show which has fun. But at the same time we wanted to break the traditional Cricinfo where when we talk cricket we talk numbers, we talks statistics mixed with a game format. We are trying to have cricket talk in that narrative where four people are playing a game and that’s creating a story of its own. When we were conceiving the show, we wanted to create something that brought the cricket analysis and engaged the cricket viewers with the show at the same time.”

    Talking about the joint content creation package with Sony, Bal revealed, “ESPN is the world’s number one television company in sports and we have a partnership with Sony which does sports. So it is very clear that we will bring programming. At the time of World T20 we had a Match Day which was the studio show on Sony ESPN and soon you will see a Crickinfo show on TV, there is EURO coming, which will bring a football show.”

    Whether original programming opens up the avenues for revenues, Bal replied “Nobody is in the business to not make money. Of course we hope that this will bring money. Also, in our effort to continuously build the ESPN brand in India, the IPL season is a great opportunity to engage fans in a way that keeps them coming back for more. Primarily the IPL audience that is following the game day to day is looking for analysis of the day’s play as a means to augment their cricket discussions.”

     

  • ESPN Cricinfo to bring more original programming

    ESPN Cricinfo to bring more original programming

    MUMBAI: After introducing shows like Match Day, On the Road, Polite Enquiries, and Two Men Out at the time of World T20, ESPN Cricinfo has added on to the cricket fever this IPL with The Friendly Toast to provide comprehensive coverage and quality insights that Cricinfo has always provided to its fans through television. The website has plans to bring in more original programming with some of its shows on television.

    Aired daily on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, The Friendly Toast at 8.30 am provides fans with a sharp reading of the game, making sense of the numbers and honest analysis of the day’s play – All of this in a fun and entertaining manner through the gamified interface of experts ‘owning’ teams for the duration of the show. Some of the most respected voices in cricket such as Ajit Agarkar, Daryll John Cullian, Dirk Peter Nannes and Iain Edward O’ Brien present the match analysis.

    Speaking with Indiantelevision.com, ESPN Cricinfo India and South Asia editor-in-chief Sambit Bal said, “There is only an Extra Innings on Sony and we thought there is place for another show which has fun. But at the same time we wanted to break the traditional Cricinfo where when we talk cricket we talk numbers, we talks statistics mixed with a game format. We are trying to have cricket talk in that narrative where four people are playing a game and that’s creating a story of its own. When we were conceiving the show, we wanted to create something that brought the cricket analysis and engaged the cricket viewers with the show at the same time.”

    Talking about the joint content creation package with Sony, Bal revealed, “ESPN is the world’s number one television company in sports and we have a partnership with Sony which does sports. So it is very clear that we will bring programming. At the time of World T20 we had a Match Day which was the studio show on Sony ESPN and soon you will see a Crickinfo show on TV, there is EURO coming, which will bring a football show.”

    Whether original programming opens up the avenues for revenues, Bal replied “Nobody is in the business to not make money. Of course we hope that this will bring money. Also, in our effort to continuously build the ESPN brand in India, the IPL season is a great opportunity to engage fans in a way that keeps them coming back for more. Primarily the IPL audience that is following the game day to day is looking for analysis of the day’s play as a means to augment their cricket discussions.”

     

  • ESPNcricinfo introduces four digital video series for World T20

    ESPNcricinfo introduces four digital video series for World T20

    NEW DELHI:  ESPNcricinfo is adding on to the cricket fever this World T20 with four exceptional flagship digital video series to bring the game closer to Indian fans. Providing comprehensive coverage of the global sporting event, ESPNcricinfo has introduced ‘Match Day’, ‘On the Road’, ‘Polite Enquiries’, and ‘Two Men Out’. The video series will set rolling on the website from 15 March and continue all through the World T20.
    Aired on ESPNcricinfo, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPNHD and the ESPNcricinfo mobile application, ‘Match Day’ will feature some of the most respected voices in cricket such as Ian Chappell and Mahela Jayawardene presenting match analysis with a unique perspective on the action. The presenters scheduled to be regulars in this series are legends and are popular for calling the game as they see it. The programme will be backed by insights into the successes, failures and key moments of the tournament.

    Speaking about ESPNcricinfo’s continuing focus to develop and deliver novel content for enhanced fan experiences across digital and television, ESPNcricinfo India and South Asia editor-in-chief Sambit Bal said, “ESPNcricinfo ‘Match Day’ brings to television all the values of the world’s premier digital cricket destination: credible voices, strong opinions, sharp insights, savvy with numbers, and the strengths of a global network. Ian Chappell, Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar are familiar names on ESPNcricinfo, and we are hugely excited about the television debut of Mahela Jayawardene, a World T20-winning player and a legend of the game. If we are to make only one promise, it will be this: our analysts will be calling it as they see it.”

    ESPN India and South Asia vice president Ramesh Kumar said, “In our endeavor to serve our cricket fans anytime, anywhere, ESPNcricinfo Match Day program during World T20 brings the best of ESPNcricinfo insights and analysis for every match on ESPNcricinfo digital media platforms globally. In India fans can also experience the program on Sony ESPN. The program is a perfect example of the multi-platform way that we are growing ESPNcricinfo, and highlights the value that is being unlocked for fans by our recent Sony ESPN agreement.”

    Following ‘Match Day’ fans can discover the sights and sounds of India with Melinda Farell with ‘ESPNcricinfo On The Road’ as she travels across the country on a cricketing pilgrimage. 

    A travel and features video series, ‘ESPNcricinfo On The Road’ provides fans a window to the World T20 tournament through multi-media content, social media integration and user generated content. The ESPNcricinfo On The Road microsite (link) will deliver of a mix of daily and weekly content that will be amplified on social media platforms including Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Vine, Instagram and YouTube. Not just that, the series will include a call to action for user- generated content through #ontheroad and #fandugout.

    ‘Polite enquiries’ is an interactive platform for fans, with cricket writer Jarrod Kimber and an ESPNcricinfo staff answer fan questions on Twitter. Through five episodes of light-hearted conversation, fans can send in any subject or question about cricket they may want answered.
    ‘Two men out’ will offer a quirky, yet incisive, take on recent events in the game by Kimber and popular British comedian Andy Zaltzman. The five-episode series will add a dash of humor to the TSexperience, thus augmenting fan engagement.

  • ESPNcricinfo introduces four digital video series for World T20

    ESPNcricinfo introduces four digital video series for World T20

    NEW DELHI:  ESPNcricinfo is adding on to the cricket fever this World T20 with four exceptional flagship digital video series to bring the game closer to Indian fans. Providing comprehensive coverage of the global sporting event, ESPNcricinfo has introduced ‘Match Day’, ‘On the Road’, ‘Polite Enquiries’, and ‘Two Men Out’. The video series will set rolling on the website from 15 March and continue all through the World T20.
    Aired on ESPNcricinfo, Sony ESPN, Sony ESPNHD and the ESPNcricinfo mobile application, ‘Match Day’ will feature some of the most respected voices in cricket such as Ian Chappell and Mahela Jayawardene presenting match analysis with a unique perspective on the action. The presenters scheduled to be regulars in this series are legends and are popular for calling the game as they see it. The programme will be backed by insights into the successes, failures and key moments of the tournament.

    Speaking about ESPNcricinfo’s continuing focus to develop and deliver novel content for enhanced fan experiences across digital and television, ESPNcricinfo India and South Asia editor-in-chief Sambit Bal said, “ESPNcricinfo ‘Match Day’ brings to television all the values of the world’s premier digital cricket destination: credible voices, strong opinions, sharp insights, savvy with numbers, and the strengths of a global network. Ian Chappell, Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Manjrekar are familiar names on ESPNcricinfo, and we are hugely excited about the television debut of Mahela Jayawardene, a World T20-winning player and a legend of the game. If we are to make only one promise, it will be this: our analysts will be calling it as they see it.”

    ESPN India and South Asia vice president Ramesh Kumar said, “In our endeavor to serve our cricket fans anytime, anywhere, ESPNcricinfo Match Day program during World T20 brings the best of ESPNcricinfo insights and analysis for every match on ESPNcricinfo digital media platforms globally. In India fans can also experience the program on Sony ESPN. The program is a perfect example of the multi-platform way that we are growing ESPNcricinfo, and highlights the value that is being unlocked for fans by our recent Sony ESPN agreement.”

    Following ‘Match Day’ fans can discover the sights and sounds of India with Melinda Farell with ‘ESPNcricinfo On The Road’ as she travels across the country on a cricketing pilgrimage. 

    A travel and features video series, ‘ESPNcricinfo On The Road’ provides fans a window to the World T20 tournament through multi-media content, social media integration and user generated content. The ESPNcricinfo On The Road microsite (link) will deliver of a mix of daily and weekly content that will be amplified on social media platforms including Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Vine, Instagram and YouTube. Not just that, the series will include a call to action for user- generated content through #ontheroad and #fandugout.

    ‘Polite enquiries’ is an interactive platform for fans, with cricket writer Jarrod Kimber and an ESPNcricinfo staff answer fan questions on Twitter. Through five episodes of light-hearted conversation, fans can send in any subject or question about cricket they may want answered.
    ‘Two men out’ will offer a quirky, yet incisive, take on recent events in the game by Kimber and popular British comedian Andy Zaltzman. The five-episode series will add a dash of humor to the TSexperience, thus augmenting fan engagement.

  • Star India snaps up broadcast rights to Sachin-Warne’s Cricket All-Stars

    Star India snaps up broadcast rights to Sachin-Warne’s Cricket All-Stars

    MUMBAI: Star India has snapped up the broadcast rights of the much awaited venture of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne namely The Cricket All-Stars T20 tournament, featuring cricket legends from across the globe.

     

    Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com a source close to the development said, “The rights are with Star and we all are looking forward to the tournament.”

     

    While Master Card has been roped in as the title sponsor of the tournament, negotiations are on with a few more brand. The source adds, “We are in the last phase of proceedings and will soon reveal many more developments.”

     

    The Cricket All-Stars T20 tournament is set to unfold on 7 November, 2015 in New York. The tourney will then move to Houston on 11 November and to Los Angeles on 14 November.

     

    Virender Sehwag, who recently retired, has also joined the roster, which has former Indian greats like Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar. While Warne confirmed his participation in the tournament a few days back, the master blaster Tendulkar was also spotted sweating it out in the nets yet again. Some of the others former cricketers who are a part of the league are Kumar Sangakkara, Jonthy Rhodes, Wasim Akram, Glen Mcgrath and Ricky Ponting.

     

    His recent tweets read : 

     

    Had fun at the nets today. #ComingToAmerica, see you in New York in 10 days.. #CricketAllStars2015 @T20AllStars

     

     

    Welcoming Sehwag and beginning the countdown, Telndulkar tweeted: Welcome my friend and a batsman with distinct style …………………. #10daystogo

     

     

    Senior cricket expert Hemant Kenkre said, “It’s a delightful opportunity for the average American cricket fans to see the legends playing in front of them. The initiative is nice. I remember something similar was done in Brabourne Stadium long back. From cricket’s perspective, it remains to be seen how fit the players are, it’s been long since many of them retired and no one knows how much cricket they have been playing. But overall Wasim Akram bowling to Lara or Sachin facing Warne again would be a worthy sight for cricket lovers.”

     

    A sports media planning veteran added, “Sachin, Sourav, Sehwag, Warne in one pitch again can take viewership to a different level, recently we saw in Wankhede how the entire stadium was chanting Sachinnnnn! Sachinnnnnn! Having said that, the matches are to be played in America so the timing will be an issue for the Indian audience. Moreover, how competitive the matches are, will be another factor to look at. Overall the first three matches will be an experiment and the quality of those will determine the future.”

     

  • ESPN cricinfo gears up with exclusive content for IPL 2015

    ESPN cricinfo gears up with exclusive content for IPL 2015

    MUMBAI: Riding on the popularity of the on-going Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) season eight cricketing tournament, ESPNcricinfo is looking to engage fans with a host of exclusive videos and special content dedicated to comprehensive IPL coverage on the website.

     

    First in the list of this content is The Huddle that features former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar and former New Zealand bowler Iain O’Brien in conversation with ESPN cricinfo talent delivering pre and post-match analysis of each game of the IPL. A 15 minute live preview will be available daily at 7.45 pm along with a post-match analysis. The guests will dive into predictions, player performances, stats and milestones and more.

     

    Additionally, a video show called On The Road, which began during the ICC Cricket World Cup, will continue through the IPL as well. The travel and features video series allows fans to engage with the IPL through a micro-site featuring multi-media content, social media integration and user generated content. The micro-site will feature a mix of daily and weekly content that will further be amplified on social media platforms like Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Vine, Instagram and YouTube. Additionally, the series will include a call to action for user generated content through #ontheroad.

     

    ESPN cricinfo and ESPN Digital Media head Rakesh Kumar said, “This is our endeavour of serving fans anywhere, anytime. The tremendous response we have received this World Cup has set the stage and the momentum is expected to go up with the IPL.”

  • Rohit Sharma wins ODI batsman of the year

    Rohit Sharma wins ODI batsman of the year

    MUMBAI: Brendon McCullum, Mitchell Johnson, Rohit Sharma, Lasith Malinga, Alex Hales and Rangana Herath are amongst the winners of the eighth edition of annual ESPNcricinfo Awards for the best batting and bowling performances in Tests, ODIs and T20s in 2014.

     

    The winners were picked by a jury consisting of Rahul Dravid, Ian Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Ajit Agarkar, Russel Arnold, Martin Crowe, Michael Bevan, Mark Butcher, Aakash Chopra, Daryll Cullinan, Michael Holding, Mark Nicholas, Ramiz Raja and Graeme Smith. Also part of the jury were ESPNcricinfo’s senior writers, Sambit Bal, Sharda Ugra, Sidharth Monga, Brydon Coverdale, Mohammad Isam, David Hopps, Osman Samiuddin, Jarrod Kimber, Firdose Moonda, Daniel Brettig, Andrew Fernando and George Dobell.

     

    Winners for each category were picked from shortlists of between nine and 14 performances selected by ESPNcricinfo staff.

     

    Brendon McCullum’s 302 against India was the first triple-hundred by a New Zealander in Tests, and came at the start of a year in which he scored 1164 Test runs.

     

    Mitchell Johnson’s seven for 68 against South Africa in Centurion saw him in arguably more fearsome form than he was during his Ashes-winning performances earlier in the season back home in Australia. It was Johnson’s second consecutive ESPNcricinfo Award in the category.

     

    Rohit Sharma’s 264 against Sri Lanka was his second double-hundred in ODIs (the first won in this category at last year’s ESPNcricinfo Awards), and the third by an Indian, following Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.

     

    Lasith Malinga, who won in the best ODI bowling category for his 5 for 56 in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, is also a former ESPNcricinfo Award winner.

     

    Both winning performances in the shortest format came from the World T20: Rangana Herath’s 5 for 3 demolished New Zealand in a tournament Sri Lanka went on to win. Alex Hales won the batting award for his 116 not out against Sri Lanka, which came off 97 balls and took England to a six-wicket win.

     

    ESPNcricinfo editor-in-chief Sambit Bal said, “2014 has been an exciting year of cricket and we saw the emergence of some real champions. We want to reward champions who made a difference to cricket through their performances over the last 12 months. Selecting these winners was a daunting task, to say the least, for all the jury members, considering the immense talent that was on display. We wish the winners all the success in the world, and hope they take the gentleman’s game to greater heights.”