Tag: Cricket

India-Afghan T-20 series attracts strong advertiser support for Viacom18 Sports

Mumbai: This evening when the telecast of the three-match India-Afghanistan T-20 series begins on JioCinema and Viacom18 Sports, the roster of advertisers will impress one and all. Amongst the ones who have got on board include: Tata Commercial Vehicles and HDFC Bank as co-presenting partners.

On the associate partner list figure: Matrimony.com, Eureka Forbes, Beam Suntory, Oppo, Kajaria, Hero Electronix and Farmley.

Crex, MPL, Komaki EV and MP Birla bring up the rear as associates.

The white ball series has been generating a lot of interest courtesy of the comeback of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the Indian squad after an absence of 14 months. Also noteworthy is the absence of world-class all-rounder Rashid Khan from the Afghanistan squad. Khan is recovering from surgery a few weeks ago. Additionally, the Afghanis proved a world-class side, beating some of the better-known teams in the recently concluded ICC run One Day World Cup.

Expect some great action over the next week.

January 11, 2024
IDCA announces maiden T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is organising the first T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai from 8 to 11 January 2024.In its inaugural edition, six specially-abled women’s teams from different parts of the country will compete on the field to clinch the coveted Premier League trophy.

IDCA president Sumit Jain commented, “We are grateful to Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla Group, Nykaa & Indo Count for their wholehearted support to our movement of supporting hearing impaired Women players in our forthcoming tournaments in 2024. IDCA is proud of our women players, these are athletes despite their commitment to their home & families have brought immense pride to society & have excelled in the field of Cricket.”

The four-day tournament will kick off with a special opening ceremony organised on Monday, January 8 at 9 AM at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra. In this four-day tournament, six Deaf women’s cricket teams – Punjab Lions, UP. Warriorz, Mumbai Stars, Delhi Bulls, Hyderabad Eagles and Bangalore Badshahs – will play a total of 11 matches before making it to the finals.

The two best teams will face each other in the final match scheduled for 11 January 2024.

Serum Institute of India founder chairman, and IDCA T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League Support partner Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla said, “We are delighted & committed to extend our support for the first T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League 2024. It will help to motivate the specially-abled youth of the country to dream big and strive hard to achieve their dreams as nothing is impossible. We are looking forward to a long partnership with the brand.”

The winning team and the players will be felicitated for their exceptional performance at the closing ceremony to be held on 11 January at 4 PM. The IDCA T-10 champions will receive a prize of Rs 1, 00,000, while the runner-up will get Rs 50,000. The best individual sportsmen in categories such as batting, bowling, fielding, super sixes will receive cash awards.

Supporting the tournament, Nykaa Foundation said, “IDCA T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League is an exceptional platform for specially-abled women players to showcase their incredible talent. This initiative will help raise awareness among specially-abled players across the country to pursue their passion and aim for the stars in the world of sports. Additionally, it will foster a sense of empowerment and inclusivity within the sports community. We are excited to support IDCA once again in this initiative and look forward to the upcoming tournament.”

IDCA CEO Roma Balwani added, “The excitement of playing in Mumbai & competing in the home ground of stalwarts of cricket is truly special. IDCA believes in celebrating diversity & inclusion through disability sports, especially cricket. We thank all our support partners, state associations, for their belief in our endeavor to promote deaf cricket both in India & Internationally. We salute each woman player for their grit & resilience to prove their sportsmanship on the cricket field besides being homemakers. Best wishes to all these amazing women participating in specially-abled sports.”

Corporate partners, KFC India, Hero MotoCorp, Indo Count, CoLearn and Kaizzen are supporting IDCA for the upcoming tournament.

Watch the tournament live on YouTube channel, IDCA.TV.

January 4, 2024
Captain Kohli: A tale of triumph, tragedy, and tenacity from the Audible memoir

Mumbai: As the Cricket World Cup 2023 hurtles towards its nail-biting climax, all eyes are fixated on the epic showdown. At the heart of this electrifying spectacle is the great Indian captain, Virat Kohli, who not only led India to the finals but also etched his name in history by breaking the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s landmark record for the most ODI centuries. While the world applauds Kohli’s on-field prowess, we are here to share untold stories of this cricketing maestro, making his record-breaking feats just one chapter in the spell-binding tale of ‘Virat Kohli’ available on Audible.

https://www.audible.in/pd/Virat-Kohli-Audiobook/0241530911?qid=1700133788&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=2d02bc98-4366-4f94-99d9-5e898cda0766&pf_rd_r=JQFXWSM95GCVHHZ8KA38&pageLoadId=xnImvCflwpmVGL9P&ref_plink=not_applicable&creativeId=b2592cc9-1111-40d9-9474-98f67c8075cc

Tennis’ loss became Cricket’s Win!

“There was a time when Virat Kohli was torn between his love for Tennis and Cricket. Had the young boy picked up the racquet, instead of donning whites and taking to the cricket field, he would’ve excelled at the Tennis court as well.” Like many Indian children, Kohli stumbled upon cricket while playing in the neighbourhood. It wasn’t until later that he decided to pursue it as a career. “What started out as gully cricket in the by lanes of Delhi, soon became a love affair that the world would witness in the years to come.” “Coming from a middle-class family, right through his growing up years, it was easier for the boys to access a bat and a ball than stand across the net of a Tennis court. High training fees ensure Tennis remains a sport played mainly by the well-off in India. As a result, though Kohli liked the idea of Tennis, it was cricket that he chased with the same passion.”

Fruit of Committed Mentorship

As Kohli spent more time playing cricket, his father recognized a spark and guided him towards meaningful pursuits. “And so, on a hot summer day in May, a nine-year-old chubby little Kohli and his elder brother, Vikas, walked into the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA) alongside their father. While there were many coaches training kids in the duty maidans of Delhi, Kohli was fortunate to find a dedicated mentor in Rajkumar Sharma, a seasoned cricketer, himself. Sharma knew what it took to make it to the next level in cricket, expecting the same from his wards.” Kohli soon became a dedicated disciple of the coach. The coach initially saw no great potential in the brothers, but two incidents in the due course changed his perception. “First was, *in the days out in the field. Kohli chased the ball to the boundary and in a flash, picked it up and hurled it toward the wicketkeeper. The accuracy of the throw from a nine-year-old, flummoxed Sharma. A few days later, Kohli followed it up by casually flicking the ball over the mid-wicket fence, to the boundary, displaying his impeccable timing with the bat.” The coach called out how Kohli’s talents needed more attention than his elder brother. Following this incident, Sharma was given a free hand in Koli’s training, and the youngster flourished under his mentorship.

The Fitness Revolution

Beyond cricket, Kohli’s second love was food. “From burgers to butter chicken, there was no cuisine he left untouched – making the most out of anything scrumptious available on the streets of Delhi. Back home, his mother too, dished out some tasty delicacies that Kohli was fond of. While he played really hard on the field, he could not say no to an extra helping at dinner until he realised the need to maintain a healthy diet.” It was not all smooth sailing for Kohli, initially. His world came crashing down when he learnt that he failed to make it to the Delhi Under-14 team. This rejection armed him with a forceful will to become even better. “The young boy bid his mother’s scrumptious meals a goodbye, put in more hours at training, and shut those extra kilos to transform into a fitter and more focused cricketer.” The following year, his dedication helped him bag a spot at the Delhi Under-15 side.

Determination and Discipline

Although he was a quiet teenager, Kohli harbored ambitions. “He would emulate his on-screen idols in cricketing matters and otherwise. During a tie against Baroda, Kohli arrived at the ground with his arm tattooed similar to what he had observed on the chiseled bodies of many cricketers. Right then, he was admonished for his antiques by Ajit Chaudhary, Delhi Under-17 coach, who was worried that he was becoming too big for his boots. He even challenged Kohli to prove his worth on the field. By the end of that match, the youngster had scored an unbeaten 250 runs.”

Breaking Boundaries and Records

He was picked to represent India in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia. Although an unimportant tournament on the Indian calendar, it was used by the selectors to observe the performance of the next generation of cricketers – with each one eager to put on a good show. In the match against New Zealand, he was thrown out of his comfort zone when he was sent to open the innings, which he had rarely done until then. “Not one to be bogged down by challenges, he played an unbeaten knock of 120 runs to hand India their second win. In fact, he stayed at the crease for 41 overs, during that innings — which was a remarkable feat in itself and spoke volumes of his endurance as a sportsman.” What’s commendable is how he also displayed agility to adapt to any position, as and when the team needed him to! This tournament put the spotlight on him and was instrumental in his selection to the Indian team, in the months to follow.

Into The Big League and becoming a World Champion

“For two men in particular, the 2011 World Cup was special, although for different reasons. For Kohli, the excitement was palpable as he was playing in the tournament for the first time. For his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, it was to be his last attempt at winning a World Cup having played in five previous editions.” The fact that the tournament would be played in front of their own countrymen, made it all-the-more special. All of India prayed in unison for a win against Sri Lanka in the finals. “As India’s innings got underway, it all started to look dismal – when experienced batsmen, Sehwag and Tendulkar, were out early on in the game.” As a dejected Tendulkar walked off the field, he whispered a word of advice to Kohli, who was walking in to bat. “There was dew and the ball had stopped swinging but the ball that I got out to, did swing!” That’s what Sachin Tendulkar said to Virat, that the odd ball was swinging. That little tip helped Virat immensely, as he added what were vital 35 runs during the chase, in addition to pairing up with Gambhir to add 83 runs to the third wicket. The Indian spectators, acting as the twelfth man, passionately cheered every run as if it were a boundary. Ultimately, Dhoni’s memorable six secured India’s second World Cup victory, and he passed on the leadership to the future captain.

Birth of a Leader

Virat Kohli switched into a different gear after becoming the Test Captain. India was going through a poor phase and there were a lot of things for Kohli to ponder over now but he had a new role in the team. “Away from the ground, he chose to hit the gym to get fitter, say no to partying – which, people his age normally love. He developed other interests such as music and reading. He was soon most comfortable in the company of a good book. He was more refined now in the way he carried himself. He was more focused and determined to test the limits of his ability.” Rajkumar Sharma, said, “I think this habit has brought calmness into his approach and no doubt he has matured as a person.”

“In April 2016, the Indian Premier League beckoned. Kohli justified his price tag of Rs. 15 crore, the highest amount paid for a cricketer in a league. By putting on a show unseen in the previous editions of the tournament. He shattered many records and registered many firsts as he guided his team to the final. His first century in the tie against Gujarat Lions and he went on to score 3 more in a career high of 313. He registered the most centuries in T20s in a calendar year alongside Chris Gayle.” By the end of the season, Kohli had amassed 973 runs in 16 innings – the highest tally registered in T20 series and the most by a captain in an IPL season.

As India marches into the Cricket World Cup 2023 finals, the focus on Virat Kohli is inevitable. And, with this Audible audiobook, the fans can unearth the untold stories, the struggles, and the triumphs that define the man who wears the captain’s armband with pride.

November 20, 2023
Disney-Star India’s ICC World Cup telecast sets new records

Mumbai: India’s main strike bowler Mohammed Shami was breathing fire as he charged in and bowled an unplayable delivery to New Zealand tailender Lockie Ferguson which the latter edged to KL Rahul behind the stumps. In the process, he set a record by capturing seven wickets for 57 runs, the most by any Indian bowler. And a roar went up in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium where the semi-final of the ICC One Day World Cup was being played out. The Indian cricket side led by Rohit Sharma had got through to the finals of the championship, which many a pundit had predicted it would, by bowling out a fighting New Zealand side for 327 runs against their total of 397 for four.

Even as Shami was running amock on the field of play, executives at Disney Star India’s offices were also celebrating. Its streaming service Disney+Hotstar had a notched up a record by registering 53 million concurrent viewers at peak. A world record, it beat the earlier 44 million concurrent viewership record that Disney + Hotstar had set during the match between India and South Africa.

The peak concurrency for the India-New Zealand semi-final fluctuated between 50 million and 53 million as Bumrah scalped Glenn Phillis, Kuldeep outfoxed Mark Chapman, Mohammed Siraj snapped up Mitchell Santner, and Shami got the better of the centurion Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson to take India into the finals.

Thankfully, for India’s leading broadcast and streaming network the match ran its course which more than allowed it to fulfill its obligations to its on-air advertising and sponsor partners. Some of the earlier fixtures that the very dominating Indian side had played had ended early and Disney Star India had then reportedly chosen to make good some of the air time to its advertiser partners.

For Disney Star India, the ICC World Cup should prove a matchwinner in terms of revenues. With India now in the finals, which is to be held on 19 November in Ahmedabad, new viewership records are likely to be set. Programming around the finals and India’s chances on lifting the trophy is likely to be pumped up, advertising inventory created – which could sell at a premium. It’s quite possible that more advertisers could snap up FCT on the channel which again will sell at a premium.

Speaking at an ICC conference Cricket Matters on 14 November in Mumbai’s St Regis Hotel, its sports head Sanjog Gupta was pleased as punch.

“We have had 450 million viewers on TV in just the first 34 matches, of the ICC one Day World Cup” he said. “That’s more viewers than the top three entertainment channels combined on the sports event. We had a peak concurrency of 80 million on our TV channels in the 12 languages we telecast and 44 million on our streaming service. We have generated a buoyancy in the festive season with advertising spending up 40 per cent. 45-50 new category advertisers have come on to the World Cup. We have had a 20 per cent growth in terms of time spent viewing by viewers over 2019. ”

Not just Gupta, but even Disney Star country manager and president K Madhavan had a beaming wide smile on his face at the semi-final’s post-match presentation. Madhavan presented the man of the match award to Shami.

The success of the ICC World Cup event should result in some soul searching in Burbank, the Walt Disney Co’s hq. The company has been looking for a partner for its India business ever since CEO Bob Iger earlier this year expressed that the low ARPUs, weak advertising, heavy subscriber churn and skyrocketing sports rights costs were eroding the company’s bottom line. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has been reported to be among the front runners for the partnership.

Iger apparently seemed to have softened his stance – compared to earlier in the year – during the mouse house’s fourth-quarter earnings call for FY2023 on 8 November 2023 when questioned about what he intended to do with the India business.

“…in India, our linear business actually does quite well. Yes, it’s making money. But we know that other parts of that business are challenged for us and for others. And we are looking, I’ll call it, extensively,” Iger had responded. “I know I’ve said this before, it always gets me in trouble. But we’re considering our options there. We have an opportunity to strengthen our hand. It is now maybe the most populous country in the world or maybe just still second to China and about to pass them. We’d like to stay in that market. But we’re also looking to see whether we can strengthen our hand obviously, improve the bottom line.”

With the World Cup shaping up the way it has for Disney Star India in terms of viewership and new advertisers, some of that may hopefully end up showing up in the shape of a much better bottom line. And hopefully keep Iger and investors in a better frame of mind.

November 16, 2023
Abu Dhabi T10 2023 to begin from 28 November

Mumbai: The eight teams of Abu Dhabi T10, the fastest format of cricket, have made their picks, and – the road to another exciting season is officially underway with the players draft for 2023 coming to a close on Monday evening.

It was a fantastic evening that saw some exciting picks, with former Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis and India heavy hitter Robin Uthappa being the Bangla Tigers’ prominent signings. Strategically, the Tigers also bolstered their pace attack with Reece Topley.

The Chennai Braves went for veteran spinner Imran Tahir who has been showcasing unbelievable skills across various leagues for the past several years. The defending champions Deccan Gladiators made bold moves straightaway, packing their squad with Sherfane Rutherford and Fabian Allen. Picking David Wiese as their first optional pick, Gladiators showcased their intentions of bringing on all-rounders among their ranks.

Delhi Bulls picked up the popular fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq along with the rising Sri Lankan youngster Dunith Wellalage, who has been predicted to be an unexpected trump card by cricket pundits, being a massive signing for the franchise. Morrisville Samp Army had their plans well laid out as they brought on young England allrounder George Garton and Netherlands fast bowler Bas de Leede. With Monank Patel and Obus Pienaar as their optional picks, Morrisville showed that they are relying on youth in the shortest format.

New York Strikers picked Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Odean Smith in their team, along with youngster Lasith Croospule as their Emerging player. Northern Warriors made the first draft pick of the day with Kiwi batting-allrounder Colin Munro who has growing among the ranks in the T20 format recently. Warriors also picked Indian talent Ankur Sangwan and Abhimanyu Mithun.

Team Abu Dhabi packed powerhouses Dwaine Pretorius and Colin Ingram on their squads, while Keemo Paul was also picked up by Team Abu Dhabi.

Speaking at the draft, T10 Global chairman Shaji Ul Mulk said, “The franchises have picked some of the best players in the world this season. The fans will get to witness real skillsets on display which will truly give an international dynamic to the tournament. T10 is already going global, and these are exciting times for us. The format has really captured the imagination of young people around the world, and it is also reflected in the quality of young players we saw in the draft today. We have kept the essence of cricket exactly the same, but the fast-paced format and the quality of players each season make it exciting every year for the fans. I am sure it will be yet another fantastic season, one that we await eagerly!”

Abu Dhabi T10 Season 7 full teams:

Bangla Tigers:

Draft Signings: Kusal Mendis (Cat A), Dominik Drakes (Cat B), Reece Topley (Cat B), Saim Ayub (Cat B), Matiullah Khan (Cat C), Haider Ali (UAE-RES), Abdul Ghaffar (UAE-RES), Amartya Kaul (Emerging), Rassie van der Dussen (Opt 1), Taskin Ahmed (Opt 2), Robin Uthappa (Opt 3)

Retained: Shakib Al Hasan (Icon), Iftikhar Ahmed (Cat C), Matheesha Pathirana (Cat C), Rohan Mustafa (UAE-RES), Daniel Sams (Cat A)

Pre-Signings: Carlos Brathwaite (Platinum), Azam Khan (Asian Super Star)

Chennai Braves:

Draft Signings: Sam Cook (Cat B), Imran Tahir (Cat B), George Munsey (Cat C), Kobe Herft (Cat C), Richard Ngarava (Cat C), Junaid Siddique (UAE-RES), Aayan Khan (UAE-RES), Vriitya Aravind (UAE-RES), Kai Smith (Emerging), Stephen Eskinazi (Opt 1)

Retained: Obed McCoy (Cat A), Sikandar Raza (Cat B)

Pre-Signings: Jason Roy (Icon), Charith Asalanka (Platinum), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Cat A), Hassan Ali (Asian Super Star)

Deccan Gladiators:

Draft Signings: Sherfane Rutherford (Cat A), Fabian Allen (Cat B), Joe Clarke (Cat B), Zahir Khan (Cat C), Waqar Salamkheil (Cat C), Mohammad Zahid (UAE-RES), Nav Pabreja (UAE-RES), Khawaja Nafay (Emerging), David Wiese (Opt 1), Nuwan Thushara (Opt 2)

Retained: Nicholas Pooran (Icon), Andre Russell (Cat A), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Cat B), Joshua Little (Cat C), Zahoor Khan (UAE-RES)

Pre-Signings: Trent Boult (Platinum), Imad Wasim (Asian Super Star)

Delhi Bulls:

Draft Signings: Naveen-ul-Haq (Cat A), James Vince (Cat B), Usman Khan (Cat C), Richard Gleeson (Cat C), Dunith Wellalage (Cat C), Muhammad Rohid Khan (UAE-RES), Wasim Akram (UAE-RES), Ali Abid (UAE-RES), Sufiyan Muqeen (Emerging), Johnson Charles (Opt 1), Usama Mir (Opt 2), Abbas Afridi (Opt 3)

Retained: Dwayne Bravo (Cat A), Rilee Rossouw (Cat B), Fazalhaq Farooqi (Cat B)

Pre-Signings: Quinton de Kock (Icon), Rovman Powell (Platinum), Ambati Rayudu (Asian Super Star)

Morrisville Samp Army:

Draft Signings: George Garton (Cat B), Bas de Leede (Cat B), Andries Gous (Cat C), Najibullah Zadran (Cat C), Salman Irshad (Cat C), Ansh Tandon (UAE-RES), Muhammad Irfan (UAE-RES), Tadiwanashe Marumani (Emerging), Peter Hatzoglou (Opt 1), Monank Patel (Opt 2), Obus Pienaar (Opt 3)

Retained: Moeen Ali (Cat A), Maheesh Theekshana (Cat B), Basil Hameed (UAE-RES), Karim Janat (Asian Super Star)

Pre-Signings: Faf du Plessis (Icon), Jason Holder (Platinum), Dewald Bravis (Cat A)

New York Strikers:

Draft Signings: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Cat A), Odean Smith (Cat B), Mohammad Haris (Cat B), Lahiru Kumara (Cat C), Chamika Karunaratne (Cat C), Kusal Perera (Cat C), Muhammad Jawadullah (UAE-RES), Chundangapoyil Rizwan (UAE-RES), Lasith Croospule (Emerging), Will Jacks (Opt 1), Ali Khan (Opt 2)

Retained: Kieron Pollard (Icon), Akeal Hosein (Cat B), Muhammad Waseem (UAE-RES)

Pre-Signings: Sunil Narine (Platinum), Mohammad Amir (Cat A), Shoaib Malik (Asian Super Star)

Northern Warriors:

Draft Signings: Colin Munro (Cat A), Romario Shepherd (Cat B), Mohammad Hasnain (Cat B), Tabraiz Shamsi (Cat B), Ziaur Rahman (Cat C), Rahul Chopra (UAE-RES), Rameez Shahzad (UAE-RES) Kaunain Abbas (UAE-RES), Shamar Joseph (Emerging), Ankur Sangwan (Opt 1), Abhimanyu Mithun (Opt 3)

Retained: Wanindu Hasaranga (Icon), Kennar Lewis (Cat C), Adam Hose (Cat C)

Pre-Signings: James Neesham (Platinum), Hazratullah Zazai (Cat A), Angelo Mathews (Asian Super Star)

Team Abu Dhabi:

Draft Signings: Dwaine Pretorius (Cat A), Rumman Raees (Cat B), Leus de Plooy (Cat B), Mohammad Nawaz (Cat C), Keemo Paul (Cat C), Colin Ingram (Cat C), Asif Khan (UAE-RES) Alishan Sharafu (UAE-RES), Ethan D’Souza (UAE-RES), Allah Mohammad (Emerging), Dilshan Madushanka (Opt 1)

Retained: Philip Salt (Icon), Tymal Mills (Cat A), Alex Hales (Cat B)

Pre-Signings: Noor Ahmad (Asian Super Star), Kyle Mayers (Platinum)

October 10, 2023
Booking.com: Expanding horizons, redefining travel

Mumbai: With the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – one of the world’s most notable cricket tournaments – around the corner, the excitement amongst fans is palpable as sports tourism soars. Booking.com, the official accommodation partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, launched its integrated campaign ‘Howzat for your perfect stay’, integrating the world of travel, cricket, and its passionate fans that make it happen. A press event was hosted in Mumbai with former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, and Booking.com country manager – India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia Santosh Kumar.

The campaign featuring Indian team captain Rohit Sharma along with well-known international cricketers Jos Buttler, captain of the England team, and Glenn Maxwell highlights the fun and excitement of booking with Booking.com. It showcases the end-to-end ease and incredible choice of accommodations that Booking.com offers by taking viewers through the journey of a family dreaming of their perfect cricket stay.

With more than 28 million reported listings in over 171,000 destinations worldwide, including destinations where ICC matches are taking place, Booking.com offers the widest selection of incredible places to stay including hotels, resorts, apartments, villas, and more.

On the sidelines of the event, Indiantelevision.com caught up with Booking.com country manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia Santosh Kumar.

Edited Excerpts:

On the differentiation between Booking.com and its competitors

Number one, I would say the flexibility and convenience that we offer to our consumers. Second is the transparency in pricing because what you see on the first page when you get the search listing is ultimately the price that you book. There are no hidden fees of any sort, etc. So it’s very much consumer-focused. So I would say, those are the two key USPs.

On the specialty that Sports Tourism has, that other forms of tourism don’t

I think both sports and travel go pretty well because they both connect people, they help people see the destination and get access to experiences that they would not have otherwise. I think, in general, it also helps people connect across cultures. Sports is a great leveler and I think travel does the same. Therefore, I think they both go hand in hand.

On reaching out to tier-2 and tier-3 markets

Earlier this year, we introduced Hindi as a new language option to enhance our appeal to regional consumers seeking a localized experience. Hindi is now available both on our website and app. Our partners can access our platform in Hindi, allowing them to upload their property listings and manage their inventory in this language. Likewise, consumers can browse, search for, and make bookings in Hindi, making our services more accessible and relevant at the local level.

Hindi marks the first Indian language we’ve introduced, and it is the 46th language available globally on our platform. If it proves beneficial, we may consider launching additional regional languages in the future.

Furthermore, we are actively working to increase our local relevance in social media marketing, such as on Instagram, to better connect with Indian consumers. Additionally, through our investment in ICC Cricket-related initiatives, we hope that we’ll be able to bring about more brand awareness in tier-2 and 3 markets as well.

On future expansion plans

In general, we’ve obviously launched new categories beyond accommodation. We were primarily an accommodation player previously. Now we have launched, flights, cars, and attractions, with flights being live in over 50 countries globally now.

In India, it’s been live for about 18 months. We are also continuously expanding our range of attractions, forming partnerships with companies like Kluck and Viator in the Asia Pacific region. We want to become the one-stop shop for somebody who’s traveling.

Secondly, we’re investing also in the area of sustainability, because a lot of consumers want to travel more sustainably. They want to find sustainable options. So, we have a sustainable badge that we launched in 2021. This badge offers various levels of certification for accommodations and properties, allowing travelers to easily identify and choose sustainable options when booking.

This is our effort to continue to meet the net zero ambitions in the hospitality and travel industry.

October 4, 2023
News18 India promises unprecedented cricket extravaganza in Asia Cup Final: India vs. Sri Lanka

Mumbai: News18 India, the leading Hindi news channel, is gearing up for an electrifying showdown in the cricketing world. On 17 September 2023, all eyes will be on the Asia Cup Final, where India take on Sri Lanka in a battle that promises to be nothing short of epic.

As the number Hindi news channel, News18 India is on a mission to provide cricket enthusiasts and a diverse audience with a memorable and informative experience. With a focus on engaging content throughout the pre-match, during the game, and post-match phases, News18 India aims to captivate viewers with its comprehensive coverage.

The Asia Cup final coverage on News18 India is designed to be a visual spectacle. Viewers can expect a feast for the eyes, with visually appealing graphics that enhance their understanding of the game’s dynamics. Expert panels, consisting of renowned cricketing voices, will be on hand to provide valuable insights, adding depth to the viewers’ cricketing knowledge.

One of the cornerstones of News18 India’s coverage is interactivity. In an era where cricket fans are more engaged than ever, the channel is committed to delivering content that keeps viewers actively involved. From real-time updates to interactive content, News18 India ensures that no moment of the game goes unnoticed.

The in-depth analysis provided by the channel will be both enlightening and entertaining, striking a balance that caters to both hardcore cricket aficionados and casual viewers. The coverage’s tone will be thoughtfully crafted to both engage and inform, striking a balance between entertainment and vital insights.

News18 India’s broadcasting of the Asia Cup Final won’t be confined to television alone. In line with the evolving media landscape, the channel will extend its reach to digital platforms and social media, ensuring that fans can access the action wherever they are.

As time is ticking for this intense cricketing battle, News18 India invites all cricket enthusiasts to stay tuned for an unforgettable experience. India and Sri Lanka will vie for supremacy and bragging rights in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or a casual observer, News18 India, India’s number one Hindi news channel guarantees a cricketing spectacle that will leave you enthralled.

Watch “Jeetega bhai Jeetega” on News18 India on 17 Sep’23 from 2pm onwards.

September 16, 2023
Disney+ Hotstar records 2.8 crore concurrency during India-Pak Asia Cup match

Mumbai: In yet another triumphant victory, India cruised to a record 228-run win over rival Pakistan on Monday and collected crucial points in the super four stage of the Asia Cup. Having set a target of 357, India bowled out Pakistan for 128 runs, its third-lowest total against India.

The tournament which is being live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, clocked a concurrency of 2.8 crore when India was batting, the highest for any India match in the history of digital. 25.3 million simultaneous viewers watched the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and New Zealand in 2019.

In a tweet, BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted the same.

September 12, 2023
Prime Video announces immersive & localised cricket experience for Ind vs. NZ series from 18 Nov

Mumbai: Streaming service, Prime Video, amps up the excitement around the Indian cricket team’s tour of New Zealand beginning 18 November, with a series of announcements. In a first for Prime Video India, the service will show advertisements during live cricket matches. It has signed up Airtel Xstream Fiber as the presenting sponsor, and MPL, Nescafé, Noise, OLX Autos, and Vida have come on board as associate sponsors. Meanwhile, brands including AMFI and DBS join as advertisers.

This move will help brands reach Prime Video’s premium base of highly engaged customers spread across the country.

India and New Zealand both reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia but lost their matches. They will now play a limited-overs series consisting of three T20s and three ODIs between 18 and 30 November. Prime Video is the official India territory rights holder to exclusively stream all men’s and women’s cricket matches played in New Zealand.

Prime Video India director of SVoD business Sushant Sreeram said, “There are many things that are heterogeneous about the delightfully diverse India when it comes to entertainment—be it choice of language, genres of shows and movies, devices that customers prefer watching their favourite entertainment on, and so much more. But there is one absolute unifier that everyone across the country is unanimously passionate about, and that’s cricket! With our slate of compelling shows and movies over the last six years, we have strived to super-serve our customers, and they have emphatically picked Prime Video as their most loved entertainment destination. Now, with live cricket made immersive and accessible through multi-language feeds, fantastic studio programming, and a superb set of commentators to guide us through the series, we are confident that we will not only deliver a superior experience for the country’s legions of cricket fans, but also make Prime Video the first choice of entertainment for everyone.”

“India and New Zealand have both been at the top of their white ball games in the recent past, and we expect some explosive cricket in the coming weeks from two of the best teams in the world as the cricketing action now moves from Australia to New Zealand,” he added.

Prime Video will deliver live commentary and match-programming in English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu. Fans will also be treated to graphics in these languages. Former captains and cricketers like Ravi Shastri, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Gundappa Viswanath, Anjum Chopra, and Venkatpathy Raju, among others, will be bringing the matches alive with their insightful commentary in different languages as India tries to set the record straight against New Zealand. The BlackCaps knocked the Men in Blue out of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and also defeated India in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021.

The full slate of commentators for the series includes the following names:

English: Ravi Shastri, Harsha Bhogle, Anjum Chopra, Simon Doull, and Murali Kartik. Gaurav Kapoor will be the presenter.

Hindi: Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ajay Jadeja, Mohammad Kaif, and Ajit Agarkar.

Tamil: WV Raman, Hemang Badani, L Sivaramakrishnan, and S Sriram.

Kannada: Gundappa Viswanath, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shankar Prakash, Venkatesh Prasad, and K Jeshwant.

Telugu: Venkatpathy Raju, Sunitha Anand, Sudhir Malwvedi, and Vijay Malwvedi.

The cricket experience for the fans doesn’t stop here. Prime Video will also offer an English-language live one-hour pre-show before each game. The mid-innings break will feature a 15-minute show that will be a recap of the first inning and a preview of the second. The live programming also involves a 30-minute post-match presentation and analysis by Prime Video’s stable of cricket experts.

Curating a new viewing experience for live sports, Prime Video will offer customers new features like an in-game language selector and “Rapid Recap.” The in-game language selector will allow customers to change languages (e.g., from English to Hindi) seamlessly without exiting the player. Customers joining a game in progress can catch-up on impactful game highlights using the “Rapid Recap” feature before transitioning to the live stream automatically.

To watch the matches, consumers can go to the Prime Video app on their respective devices, where they will be able to find the live match featured on the home page. On Android and Smart TV devices, they can select the Cricket tab in the top navigation. The Cricket section’s landing page will include live matches as well as full replays of previous matches. Consumers can choose a language stream of their choice to enjoy the match. The page will also feature the key highlights of the matches—Super Sixes and short highlights—for a quick catch-up. Fans can stream these matches online through their web browser, mobile devices, internet-connected TVs, set-top boxes, Fire TV sticks, and other compatible devices.

November 11, 2022
Navi onboards MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador

Mumbai: Sachin Bansal-backed Navi has appointed cricketer MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador. MS Dhoni will be the face of Navi’s branding initiatives. The association with the iconic former team India captain strengthens the brand’s trustworthiness as it works to fulfil customer goals by providing simple, affordable, and easily accessible financial services across India.

Navi has launched its first ad with Dhoni on Hotstar during Thursday’s India vs. England T20 semi-final match. The goal of this campaign is to promote Navi’s prompt and accessible financial services by dismantling the old and conventional ways of doing business in this sector. The campaign will initially run on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube before moving on to print and out-of-home (OOH) advertising in the second phase.

Dhoni said, “Today’s India is intelligent, aspirational, and always working toward its goal. It is crucial for billions of Indians to achieve and surpass their life goals, which is why Navi and I have teamed up to make this vision a reality. Navi’s mission is to make financial services easily accessible whenever they are needed. I am very excited about this new journey with Navi.”

Navi Group co-founder Sachin Bansal said, “We are thrilled to introduce MS Dhoni as our brand ambassador and the newest member of the Navi family. He personifies trust, ambition, and dedication—qualities that resonate powerfully with Navi and all we stand for, making him the ideal brand ambassador. Associating with him, in my opinion, would greatly enhance the value of our brand and further our mission to provide every Indian with simple, affordable, and reliable financial services.”

November 11, 2022