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Tag: Gujarat Giants

  • JioStar breaks viewership records with Tata WPL’s historic opening

    JioStar breaks viewership records with Tata WPL’s historic opening

    MUMBAI: The Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 has made a thunderous start, smashing viewership records on JioStar. With cricket fans tuning in across platforms, the opening match between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore became the most-watched league stage match ever on television.

    As the second leg of #WPL2025 kicks off in Bengaluru, BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to social media to celebrate the tournament’s historic viewership figures. In a tweet, he revealed, “the Opening match was watched by over 3 crore viewers on TV, making it the most-watched league stage match ever. TV ratings on @StarSportsIndia surged 150 per cent, while digital viewership on @JioHotstar climbed 70 per cent compared to last season. Witnessing records being shattered is truly inspiring,” he remarked.

    The numbers speak for themselves—TV ratings for the opening game skyrocketed by 73 per cent compared to last year, proving that women’s cricket is no longer a side event but a main attraction. Meanwhile, connected TV (CTV) saw an astonishing 102 per cent surge in reach, with average concurrency doubling till match five. Digital streaming reach also grew by 10 per cent, cementing JioStar’s dominance as the go-to platform for live sports.

    With digital consumption at an all-time high, the Tata WPL’s explosive growth on JioStar signals a shift in how audiences engage with cricket. The numbers highlight a clear trend—sports streaming is the future, and JioStar is at the forefront of this revolution.

    As Tata WPL 2025 continues its action-packed season, fans and brands alike have a golden opportunity to be part of this cricketing evolution. The landscape of women’s cricket is changing, and JioStar is leading the charge.

  • Solitario Diamonds ink partnership with Gujarat Giants for WPL

    Solitario Diamonds ink partnership with Gujarat Giants for WPL

    MUMBAI: Solitario Diamonds has officially partnered with Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), becoming the first lab-grown diamond brand to align with the world’s biggest women’s cricket tournament. As the third most-watched cricket event globally, following the IPL and ICC T20 World Cup, the WPL presents an unmatched opportunity for Solitario to engage with millions across India.

    With Gujarat—the diamond capital of India—at the heart of this collaboration, the synergy between Solitario and the WPL is seamless. The partnership goes beyond sport, celebrating the resilience, brilliance, and achievements of women in all fields.

    Solitario Diamonds CEO & co-founder Ricky Vasandani expressed his enthusiasm for the association, stating, “We are incredibly proud to be associated with the Women’s Premier League, a tournament that is not just revolutionising women’s cricket but also inspiring millions across the country. As a brand dedicated to brilliance and resilience, we see this partnership as a tribute to women who shine in every field. Just like our diamonds, these athletes embody strength, perseverance, and excellence.”

    To mark this alliance, Solitario Diamonds will host the entire WPL team in Bengaluru on 25 February. During a special ceremony, Vasandani will present each team member with a stunning tennis bracelet—a symbol of strength and elegance, much like the athletes themselves.

    Solitario Diamonds is rolling out a power-packed marketing campaign that ensures maximum visibility throughout India. The brand is making bold moves with:

    ●    Digital promotions and social media blitz – High-impact campaigns across live-streaming platforms and social media to keep the buzz alive throughout the tournament.

    ●    Out-of-home (OOH) advertising – Strategic placements in key cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Baroda.

    ●    Bus branding – Extensive branding on public transport in cricket-loving regions.

    ●    Stadium branding & in-game digital activations – Front-and-centre presence at WPL venues, ensuring strong brand recall.

    With stadium branding, live-streaming integrations, and high-impact activations, Solitario Diamonds is ensuring that its presence is as dazzling as its creations. As the WPL takes centre stage, the brand is set to knock it out of the park, positioning itself as a game-changer in the world of luxury diamonds.

    This strategic collaboration underscores Solitario’s dedication to empowering women, drawing a compelling parallel between the brilliance of diamonds and the rising success of Indian women in sports and beyond. Cricket, revered as a religion in India, offers the perfect stage for Solitario to inspire and connect with audiences on an unparalleled scale.

    With this partnership, Solitario Diamonds is championing a movement that celebrates women’s achievements, resilience, and brilliance, both on and off the field.

  • Ultimate Kho Kho ropes in IndianOil as Powered By Sponsor for Season 2

    Ultimate Kho Kho ropes in IndianOil as Powered By Sponsor for Season 2

    Mumbai: Ultimate Kho Kho, India’s first-ever professional Kho Kho league, has onboarded IndianOil, the country’s leading diversified, integrated energy major as the Powered By Sponsor for its ongoing Season 2. Aligning with Ultimate Kho Kho’s vision of bringing a modern twist to the traditional sport, this partnership solidifies the league’s commitment to shaping the future of Kho Kho in India.

    Having recently secured Series A funding from UK-based BNP Group after successfully raising its valuation, Ultimate Kho Kho became the first sports league in India to secure private equity investment to grow the trajectory of Kho-Kho in India and globally.

    Their partnership with IndianOil is set to unfold through an extensive marketing campaign, encompassing digital and on-ground activations. This collaborative effort will showcase player engagements, social media promotions, and fan-centric initiatives, all geared toward amplifying the league’s reach and influence throughout the nation.

    Reflecting on the strategic association, Ultimate Kho Kho CEO & league commissioner Tenzing Niyogi commented, “We are thrilled to welcome IndianOil as our Powered By Sponsor to elevate the stature of Kho Kho in India. Ultimate Kho Kho was conceived with the vision of not only reviving the rich heritage of Kho Kho but to propel it into a new era of dynamism, and entertainment. Our commitment to making Ultimate Kho Kho larger, bolder, and the ultimate source of entertainment for Bharat aligns perfectly with IndianOil’s dedication to leaving a lasting legacy on the Indian sporting landscape.  We are confident that this partnership will act as a catalyst for the growth of Kho Kho in India.”

    With a presence in almost all the streams of oil, gas, petrochemicals, and alternative energy sources in the country, IndianOil stands as the nation’s highest-ranked Energy-PSU in the Fortune 500 of 2023.

    As part of their association with Ultimate Kho Kho, IndianOil will secure the naming rights for the post-match award, recognizing the ‘Attacker of the Match.’ Additionally, IndianOil will also have the naming rights to the league’s exciting powerplay segment, which was dominated by Chennai Quick Guns’ stalwart all-rounder Ramji Kashyap who accumulated a total of 24 skydive points this season.

    According to a YouGov Report, the first season of Ultimate Kho Kho reached a massive audience of 164 million across various media touchpoints, emerging among the top 3 non-cricket leagues in India.

    Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, the ongoing season 2 of Ultimate Kho Kho will witness high-octane action between the top four teams – Chennai Quick Guns, Odisha Juggernauts, Gujarat Giants and Telugu Yoddhas during its semi-finals which are scheduled to be played on 11 January 2024. 

  • Gujarat Giants announced partnerships for 10 Season Pro Kabaddi League

    Gujarat Giants announced partnerships for 10 Season Pro Kabaddi League

    Mumbai: Gujarat Giants owned by Adani Sportsline, is one of the Pro Kabaddi League teams. The team which is based out of Ahmedabad has welcomed on board their official partners for the landmark 10 season of the Pro Kabaddi League.

    The official partner’s logos will be on the Gujarat Giants’ jersey for the season with ACC Limited prominently featuring as the front logo partner. That apart, Fortune Foods takes up their spot on the back of the jersey and the shoulders.

    The jersey’s right sleeve proudly showcases the Poojara Telecom logo followed by the Adani Group logo, while the left sleeve highlights the Dafa News logo.

    League11, a fantasy sports platform, secures the rights to display its logo on the team’s shorts. Additionally, the Shiv Naresh, who are among the most sought-after sports apparel organisations in the country, will have their logo on the nape of the jersey.

    Speaking on the partnership, Adani Sportsline CBO Sanjay Adesara said, “We are thrilled to welcome all our sponsors on board. Their belief in the Gujarat Giants’ potential and our shared passion for kabaddi fortifies our determination to excel in the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League 2023. These partnerships bring a promise of continued support for the Gujarat Giants family, and we are keen to ensure that it stands the test of time.”  

    Ajay Kapur, ACC Cement opened up about the collaboration CEO stating, “This partnership is a fusion of tradition and ambition, a synergy of two brands with the same passion and a common goal of nation building. We believe that this partnership is a beacon of the united pursuit of excellence and a symbol of the enduring bond between the two strong teams. Together, we will embark on a journey of transcending boundaries, breaking barriers, and empowering our youth.”

    Poojara Telecom director Rahil Poojara said, “We are excited to partner with the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants team and support their journey in the Pro Kabaddi League season 10, Kabaddi is a great sport that promotes teamwork, agility, and fitness. We believe that this partnership will help us connect with our customers and promote healthy living in Gujarat. Kabaddi holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Indians, and we believe in the power of sports to bring people together. This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to the community but also allows us to connect with a diverse audience across the nation.”

    These partnerships between the brands and Gujarat Giants signify a mutual commitment to the Indian kabaddi sports ecosystem. The ongoing 10 season of the Pro Kabaddi League, one of India’s premier tournaments, continues to captivate audiences with action-packed matches among 12 talented teams, who are battling it out for the title

    The 10 Pro Kabaddi League had begun in Ahmedabad, with the Gujarat Giants emerging as the best team in the first leg of the tournament. The Gujarat Giants have previously made the finals of the Pro Kabaddi League twice, and with Captain Fazel Atrachali and coach Ram Mehar Singh, will be hoping to land the elusive title in this season. 

  • Legends League Cricket players’ draft: Lee, Muralitharan, Watson, Kallis top picks

    Legends League Cricket players’ draft: Lee, Muralitharan, Watson, Kallis top picks

    Mumbai: Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants, GMR Sports India Capitals, Manipal Group’s Manipal Tigers and Bhilwara Group’s Bhilwara Kings came together with a combined purse of Rs 32 crore to pick 59 stars from the virtual Legends League Cricket (LLC) players’ draft.

    The players’ draft included 79 cricketers, and each team had a purse of Rs 8 crore. Each team will now submit their final squad. They can buy more players with the available purse.

    “Among the teams, Manipal Tigers splurged the most amount of Rs 6.91 crore and have a remaining purse of 1.08 crore. The Tigers were followed closely by the India Capitals, as they spent Rs 6.38 crore, and the Gujarat Giants, who splurged Rs 5.51 crore on their stars. The Bhilwara Kings were the most economical, as they spent Rs 5.62 crore. All of them have made judicious spending. The player mix seems great and it will be very interesting to see what each of them does now on the field. I wish everyone the best of luck,” said Legends League Cricket CEO and co-founder Raman Raheja.

    The teams had already selected their captains and were given a chance to choose one more player on their own accord.

    Manipal Tigers named former Australian pace bowler Brett Lee in their squad, while Gujarat went for their homegrown hero and former India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel. India Capitals named Ravi Bopara even as Bhilwara Kings picked Yusuf Pathan, who will now get a chance to team up with his brother Irfan in the tournament.

    The Gujarat Giants also tried hard to strike a good balance in their team. Besides Patel, they have picked Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis and former New Zealand captain and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori. West Indies batter Lendl Simmons is likely to open with captain Virender Sehwag at the top, while Mitchell McClenaghan will spearhead the pace bowling department.

    “It has been an enthralling draft today with Gujarat Giants securing the envisaged team-mix for the upcoming season of Legends League Cricket On the one hand, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag will be captaining the team, and on the other, top-order batsman and wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel from Gujarat will be energising the game like never before. We look forward to contributing to one of the best experiences for cricket fans by bringing their favourite legends back to competitive cricket,” said Adani Sportsline head Satyam Trivedi.

    Another Australian speedster, Mitchell Johnson, will star in the tournament after being picked by the India Capitals. The left-arm fast bowler will be supported by former England pacer Liam Plunkett. The team will also see former South Africa captain and allrounder Jacques Kallis don their jerseys, while Ross Taylor will discharge batting duties alongside captain Gautam Gambhir.

    “Really happy with the squad that India Capitals have put on the table. Congratulations to Ruchir (GM) and the team for a fabulous job,” said Indian Capitals captain Gautam Gambhir.

    Besides Lee, Manipal also picked up the spinning wizard Muttiah Muralidharan. The former Sri Lankan off-spinner would get a chance to play with another off-spin legend Harbhajan Singh, who is also the team’s captain. The Tigers’ other top buys were former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener and former Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitherana, who played a crucial role in helping his country win the 1996 World Cup.

    The entire process of player drafting was done in a virtual mode. A real-time dashboard checked on players chosen, money spent, balance, etc. There was also a free hit feature. “Overall, it was an enjoyable experience despite being virtual. We are excited to be a part of this tournament and look forward to some great cricket,” said Manipal Tigers’ owner and Manipal Education & Medical Group (MEMG) vice chairman & managing director S.Vaitheeswaran.

    For Bhilwara, former Australia all-rounder and winner of the 2015 ODI World Cup Shane Watson was the star pick. Besides him, the team also picked Sreesanth and Monty Panesar, among others.

    “I am really happy with the team, especially the fast bowling unit. We have the best fast bowling unit in the world. We have a couple of good finishers, and we have a good left-arm spinner in Monty Panesar and a few all-rounders. I am really looking forward to this team. I am really confident that we can do well if we can have the availability of all our players and they are all fit,” said Bhilwara Kings skipper Irfan Pathan.

    The Legends League Cricket will be a four-team tournament and a 16-match affair. The league will start on 16 September at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will be hosted in five different cities, including Lucknow, New Delhi, Cuttack and Jodhpur.

    Teams at a glance: 

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    Gujarat Giants: Virender Sehwag (Captain), Parthiv Patel, Elton Chigumbura, Chris Tremlett, Richard Levi, Graeme Swann, Joginder Sharma, Ashoke Dinda, Daniel Vettori, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Binny, Mitchell McClenaghan, Lendl Simmons, Manvinder Bisla and Ajantha Mendis.

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    India Capitals: Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Ravi Bopara, Farveez Maharoof, Mitchell Johnson, Jacques Kallis, Pankaj Singh, Ross Taylor, Prosper Utseya, John Mooney, Mashrafe Mortaza, Hamilton Masakadza, Rajat Bhatia, Liam Plunkett, Asghar Afghan, Denesh Ramdin, and Pravin Tambe.

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    Manipal Tigers: Harbhajan Singh (Captain), Brett Lee, Andrew Flintoff, Vrv Singh Parvinder Awana, Reetinder Sodhi, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Lance Klusener, Ryan Sidebottom, Mohammad Kaif, Phil Mustard and Muttiah Muralitharan.

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    Bhilwara Kings: Irfan Pathan (Captain), Yusuf Pathan, Sudeep Tyagi, Tino Best, Owais Shah, Tim Bresnan, Shane Watson, Sreesanth, Nick Compton, Matt Prior, Samit Patel, Fidel Edwards, William Porterfield, Naman Ojha and Monty Panesar.

  • Ultimate Kho Kho:143 players picked in season one players draft

    Ultimate Kho Kho:143 players picked in season one players draft

    Mumbai: The game of Kho Kho is set to enter a new era as a total of India’s 143 best players were hand-picked by six franchises on Thursday for the inaugural edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho in Pune.

    India’s first-ever franchise-based Kho-Kho league, promoted by Dabur India chairman Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, will be played from 14 August to 4 September at the Balewadi Stadium here.

    240 registered players, from 28 states and union territories were part of the draft process. They were divided into four categories, A, B, C and D, according to their performances in international matches, the recent National Championships and evaluation conducted by the league. 

    The 77-top players from category A, offered Rs 5 lakh and the South Asian Games gold medallist Pratik Waikar, Andhra Pradesh’s Pothireddy Sivareddy, Tamil Nadu’s M Vignesh and Karantaka’s Gowtham MK were among the 20 players who were handpicked by the franchises.

    While Waikar and defender Gowtham were picked by Telugu Yoddhas and Odisha Juggernauts respectively as their first pick, Chennai Quick Guns added local boy Vignesh to their squad. The 26-year-old all-rounder and one of the best pole divers in the country Sivareddy will represent the Gujarat side. 

    A viewer-friendly revamped format is expected to bring about a transformation in how this indigenous sport is perceived in the country.

    At the end of players draft, Ultimate Kho Kho CEO Tenzing Niyogi said, “Finally, the Ultimate Kho Kho drafts are over and it was a well-rounded draft which comprises players across the country. We are really happy and proud to see this first step in the progression of creating Ultimate Kho Kho as a mega league in the Indian sporting ecosystem. Now that the franchises will get to work with the players’ camp and the coaching camp till 1 August, our endeavour at Ultimate Kho Kho will be to market the game and make this league a grand success.”

    It was Maharashtra’s Mahesh Shinde, who became the first player to be picked in the players’ draft. The 27-year-old defender was drafted by KLO Sports-owned Chennai Quick Guns. 

    “We have a balanced squad of experienced and as well as youthful players so we are happy with it. Hopefully, during training, we will analyse their abilities based on that we will form a team. With the number of matches we will know how to form our team, ” said Chennai Quick Guns co-owner Srinath Chittoori.

    Adding to it, Mumbai team co-owner Punit Balan said,”We had some strategies, we had some players we wanted to select. We had a plan A, B and plan C. Some players which were in our plan A were already picked by other teams but obviously because we have multiple plans and we knew the right strategy, I think a good squad of 24 people for Mumbai Khiladis is ready. I feel it is a very balanced team. The approach is very clear, Mumbai Khiladis and their punchline is Khel Khila Denge, so we know we’ll tell our Khiladis to play their best and go and top the ladder.”

    Chennai Quick Guns, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Khiladis, Odisha Juggernauts, Rajasthan Warriors, Telugu Yoddhas did their best to pick strong squads as they will fight for the title in the season 1.

    GMR League Games CEO Colonel Vinod Bisht, who owns Telugu Yoddhas commented, “Being the first season we have relied on the coaches input and who have gone ahead and suggested names. So we have taken a lot of players from the senior category which is A and B, then have blended them with a lot of youngsters in C and D. So we hope that with the experience and the youth which gives the bigger speed we will be able to do well in the first season.”.

    “As far as we are concerned from the Rajasthan Warrior side, I think we had a very satisfying draft. We are I think quite sure that we will be able to come up with a very successful team and very mature team in the season to come. I think we will give a very tough fight to whoever it is and of course, it depends on how we manage the team which I ensure we will do very well,” said Rajasthan Warriors owner and Capri Global director Ajit Sharan.

    34 matches will be played over the period of 21 days in the first season of the league. The knockout matches will be played in a playoff format which will consist of a qualifier and eliminator matches.

    “Ultimate Kho kho is a very good opportunity for our Odisha Kho-Kho team. We have been doing very well in junior levels and as the Odisha government has owned a franchise now it’s an opportunity for us to contribute towards the growth of this game. I think our team is better than all other teams because we have chosen very good players and mostly we got around 80% of our listed players,” stated government of Odisha OSD, department of sports and youth affairs Lilan Prasad Sahu.

    “We are excited to contribute to this game-changing experience through our franchise at UKK League. UKK will bring forth our indigenous sport in a new avatar, and we look forward to being a part of yet another journey of mud to mat. The right team selection is integral to the success of a franchise and a lot depends upon the sequence of the draft. But thanks to our coaches for having aptly strategized and selected the desired talent from a pool of 240 players,” said Gujarat Giants owner and Adani Sportsline head – corporate brand custodian  Satyam Trivedi.

    With Sony Sports Network being the official broadcaster of the Ultimate Kho Kho season one, the exciting live action will be telecast live in Hindi (SonyTEN 3), English (SonyTEN 1), Tamil and Telugu (SonyTEN 4) as well as on their OTT platform, SonyLIV. Two matches will be played during the league stage with the first match starting at 7 p.m.

  • Sony Sports Network & SonyLIV to air Ultimate Kho Kho inaugural season from 14 August

    Sony Sports Network & SonyLIV to air Ultimate Kho Kho inaugural season from 14 August

    Mumbai: The opening season of Ultimate Kho Kho will roll out on Sunday, 14 August 2022 in Pune, where six teams will engage in action that will culminate with the title clash on 4 September 2022. India’s first-ever franchise-based professional Kho-Kho league will host its matches at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune.

    Promoted by Dabur India chairman Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), the league aims to revolutionise this indigenous sport with a modern twist both on-air & on-ground.  

    34 matches will be played with two matches per day in Season 1, during the league stage. The knockout matches will be played in a playoff format which will consist of a qualifier and eliminator matches. The live broadcast will begin at 7 pm (IST) and continue until 10 pm (IST) on each match day. The revamped format of Ultimate Kho Kho aims to be exciting and engaging for not only the Kho Kho players but also sports enthusiasts and viewers.

    Sony Sports Network will air the event in Hindi (SonyTEN 3), English (SonyTEN 1), Tamil, and Telugu (SonyTEN 4) and be available on SonyLIV.

    The inaugural season will witness six teams in the shape and form of Chennai Quick Guns (KLO Sports), Gujarat Giants (Adani Sportsline), Mumbai Khiladis (Badshah & Punit Balan), Odisha Juggernauts (Government of Odisha), Rajasthan Warriors (Capri Global) and Telugu Yoddhas (GMR Sports) competing for the inaugural season over 21 days. 

    Ultimate Kho Kho CEO Tenzing Niyogi said, “We would like to thank all our Six Team Owners and Sony Sports Network, who have shown their support and faith in our vision as Ultimate Kho Kho. Our objective has always been to transform Kho Kho and bring forth the new avatar in front of the masses of India to make our country a multisport nation.”