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Tag: Krunal Pandya

  • Puma hits it out of the park with fan-first billboard for RCB supporters

    Puma hits it out of the park with fan-first billboard for RCB supporters

    MUMBAI: Bengaluru’s skies just got a sixer’s worth of star power courtesy of RCB fans. As IPL fever tightens its grip on the country, Puma India is taking the fandom game up a notch by putting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) loyalists on the big screen literally. In a first-of-its-kind digital activation, fans can now appear alongside their cricketing idols on a high-impact billboard in Bengaluru through a unique ‘Fan on a Billboard’ experience.

    The campaign launched ahead of RCB’s home match on April 18, featuring RCB’s biggest names Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Phil Salt. All it takes is a trip to the Puma stores at Indiranagar or Brigade Road, where fans can don their official Puma x RCB jerseys and capture pictures or videos with virtual versions of their heroes in a specially designed photo booth. The cherry on top? Their content gets beamed across the city on a giant digital screen.

    RCB, with over 18 million Instagram followers, recently bagged the title of India’s most-followed cricket franchise. With a billion searches and 12 million social media conversations in 2024 alone, Puma’s campaign taps into a massive well of fan passion and turns it into something unforgettable.

    “At Puma, we’ve always kept the consumer at the center of everything we do, especially when it comes to sport,” said Puma India, director of marketing Shreya Sachdev. “RCB fans are some of the most passionate out there, and this experience is our way of putting them right where they belong next to their heroes. In a world where tech often takes people further apart, we’re using it to do the opposite, bringing fans closer to the game and the players they love,” she added.

    The activation also signals how Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising is evolving in India. According to the Pitch Madison Advertising Report 2025, OOH revenues jumped from Rs 4,140 crore in 2023 to Rs 4,650 crore in 2024 and are expected to grow at 12 per cent in 2025. But Puma’s effort goes beyond static visualsM it’s an immersive, personalised moment on a public canvas, giving fans their 15 seconds of fame, backed by serious tech muscle.

    From turning store names into Puma to honour PV Sindhu, to crafting an anthem from runners’ warm-up sounds, to letting fans “dive” into AI-generated campaigns Puma India has been sprinting ahead in innovation. With the Fan on a Billboard experience, they’ve bowled over cricket lovers once again making sure the fans don’t just wear the jersey, they become part of the game.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Confirmtkt jumps aboard RCB’s train again, ready to bowl over cricket fans

    Confirmtkt jumps aboard RCB’s train again, ready to bowl over cricket fans

    MUMBAI: Ever had that sinking feeling of missing your train and the first ball of a crucial T20 match? Fret not! Confirmtkt has decided to play superhero again, renewing its partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to ensure cricket fans catch every delivery—whether it’s on the pitch or at the platform. Talk about keeping fans on the right track!

    Announced on 18 March 2025, Confirmtkt proudly continues its innings as RCB’s official Train Ticketing Partner. Fans will now spot the Confirmtkt logo prominently flaunted on the sleeves of RCB’s official and training jerseys. Now, that’s one heck of a sleeve statement!

    In this electrifying partnership, Confirmtkt rolls out an expansive 360-degree marketing campaign spanning television, outdoor, and digital platforms. Even better? Star players Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Krunal Pandya feature in these campaigns, making sure Confirmtkt and RCB remain a fan-favourite duo.

    But wait, there’s more! Confirmtkt’s fan-loved, interactive in-app game, Ticket to Cricket, returns with even more excitement this year. The game, combined with social media contests, gives die-hard RCB fans a chance to win coveted match tickets, signed merchandise, and travel vouchers. Fancy a trip, anyone?

    Expressing excitement, Ixigo Trains & Confirmtkt CEO Dinesh Kumar Kotha said, “We look forward to another exciting season with RCB as we continue to simplify travel for cricket fans. This collaboration goes beyond just the game – it’s about bringing the excitement of cricket into every journey. Whether fans are traveling to catch a live match or celebrating victories on the go, we want to be a part of their experience, ensuring they stay connected to the action both on and off the field.”

    RCB’s COO Rajesh Menon added, “We’re thrilled to renew our partnership with Confirmtkt. This collaboration will bring the excitement of cricket to every journey, ensuring our fans stay connected to the action and their favourite team.”

    As the T20 league storms into its 18 season—having pulled a massive viewership of over 54.6 crore last season—Confirmtkt gears up to keep the cricket fever sizzling long after the final match.

    So, cricket buffs, are you ready to board the Confirmtkt express? This cricketing season, miss nothing—especially not your train.

     

  • HalaPlay appoints L&K Saatchi and Saatchi as creative agency

    HalaPlay appoints L&K Saatchi and Saatchi as creative agency

    MUMBAI: HalaPlay, a popular fantasy sports platform, has appointed L&K Saatchi & Saatchi to handle its creative duties.

    The agency has rolled out a brand new campaign featuring Hardik and Krunal Pandya to promote HalaPlay’s fantasy cricket platform, playing on the importance of the ‘Bro Code’ and how this so-called sacred code can be broken when the platform’s huge winnings are at stake. The high-decibel campaign has been launched on all media platforms.

    Commenting on the campaign and the agency appointment, HalaPlay co-founder Prateek Anand said, “Fantasy Sports has become a way of life for many Indians, which is where we see our exponential growth come from. At a product level, our attempt has been to put the power in the hands of our player community and create a feeling of collectivism, hence the introduction of a strong product hook, like the no platform fee for games between friends/brothers. L&K Saatchi & Saatchi  helped us fuel the momentum further during the prime cricketing season by creating our first campaign, leveraging Hardik and Krunal Pandya’s cricketing skills and their mischievous brotherly chemistry.”

    L&K Saatchi & Saatchi CEO and managing partner Anil Nair said, “In a cricket-crazy country like ours, everybody has their eyes and ears glued to their phones for the next three months. With an opportunity like this, our campaign aims to make a mark in their minds and engage in a way that easily resonates with them.”

    Nazara Technologies Ltd chief executive officer Manish Agarwal mentioned, “We at Nazara, were looking for creative partners who can match the passion of HalaPlay founders to build a lasting legacy in the shortest possible time. The team at L&K Saatchi & Saatchi has been more than an equal match to the challenges thrown at them. This is a fantastic start to a long journey which all the teams have embarked upon and we are confident of establishing HalaPlay as a very strong consumer brand.”a

  • IPL auction: Gayle to play for KXIP, Unadkat most expensive Indian player

    IPL auction: Gayle to play for KXIP, Unadkat most expensive Indian player

    MUMBAI: KXIP played its cards perfectly by making a bid of Rs 2 crore at the end of the auction for the distructive Chris Gayle.

    Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmanta Chameera was snapped up by RR for his base price of Rs 50 lakh.

    The highlight of the day, however, was Jaydev Unadkat. The seam bowler became the most expensive Indian player after RR bought him for Rs 11.50 crore. Unadkat has over taken Manish Pandey and KL Rahul, who were bought for Rs 11 crore each on Saturday.

    Uncapped Indian spinners also got big money when RR bought Gowtham for Rs 6.20 crore. The other big buys on Sunday were Sandeep Sharma, who went to SRH for Rs 3 crore.

    Several international players failed to find takers on Sunday. All the unsold players can be brought back in the auction if franchises ask for them. Ben Stokes remained the top buy with RR buying the England all-rounder for Rs 12.50 crore and keeping him in the company of his former Pune teammates Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi.

    Interestingly, CSK’s team composition is similar to what it was before the ban. They do, however, still lack the strike bowlers and struggled on Sunday to grab any of the attacking options. R Ashwin moved to Kings XI Punjab in the course of the bidding.

    There was some big money for India’s under 19 cricketers as Kamlesh Nagarkoti was bought for Rs 3.20 crore by KKR.

    Some of the big international names that went unsold were James Faulkner, Josh Hazlewood, Hashim Amla, Lasith Malinga, Ishant Sharma and Martin Guptill.

    MI retains Krunal Pandya for Rs 8.80 cr

    The first upcapped batsman in the eighth set was Surya Kumar Yadav with a base price of Rs 30 lakh. MI eventually snapped him up for Rs 3.20 crore.

    The highest big for an under 19 cricketer was Rs 3.20 crore, the player being Kamlesh Nagarkoti—his base price was Rs 20 lakh. Krunal Pandya was retained by MI for Rs 8.80 crore using RTM against RCB’s bid. His base price was Rs 40 lakh. Nitish Rana (base price Rs 20 lakh) went for Rs 3.40 crore to KKR. Darcy Short (Rs 20 lakh) went for Rs 4 crore to RR. Jofra Archer (Rs 40 lakh) was snaffled by RR for a not too insignificant Rs 7.20 crore.

    Current under 19 cricketer Shubman Ghill (base price Rs 20 lakh) went for Rs 1.80 to KKR. Mayank Agarwal, with a base price of Rs 20 lakh, went to KXIP for Rs 1 crore. Rahul Tripathi with a base price of Rs 20 lakh went for Rs 3.40 crore to RR. Manan Vora (Rs 20 lakh) went to RCB for Rs 1.10 crore.

    Indian under 19 captain Prithvi Shaw (Rs 20 lakh) went to DD for Rs 1.20 crore.

    RCB retain Yuzvendra Chahal

    The seventh set of the IPL auction included the spinners. The first spinner to go under the hammer was Piyush Chawla with a base price of Rs 1 crore and was sold to CSK for Rs 4.20 crore but KKR used RTM against the CSK bid. CSK, however, managed to grab the best deal of the day buy bidding Rs 1 crore for Imran Tahir. Karn Sharma with Rs 2 crore base price sold to CSK for Rs 5 crore. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan leggie with a base price of Rs 2 crore, was sold to KXIP for Rs 9 crore but SRH used their RTM to thwart the bid.

    New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi, Australia’s Adam Zampa and West Indian spinner Samuel Badri, all leg spinners, all went unsold.

    The most awaited spinner in this set, Yuzvendra Chahal (base price Rs 2 crore) was first bought by DD for Rs 6 crore but RCB used RTM to retain the player. Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian spinner went for Rs 5.80 crore to RCB but KKR used their RTM and retained the player. Amit Mishra was sold to DD for Rs 4 crore.

    In the fast bowlers’ set, Mohammed Shami, with a base price of Rs 1 crore, went to SRH for Rs 3 crore but DD used its RTM to grab the player. Kagiso Rabada, the South African tearaway, was retained by DD using RTM against CSK’s bid of Rs 4.20 crore.

    Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood go unsold

    Set six of the auction started with the bowlers and the first one on the list was Mustafizur Rahman with a base price of Rs 1 crore. He was sold to MI for Rs 2.20 crore. Mitchell Johnson and compatriot Josh Hazlewood with the same base price (Rs 2 crore)failed to evoke any interest from the franchises.

    Fellow Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins, however, was sold to MI for Rs 5.40 crore. RCB picked up India fast bowler Umesh Yadav (Rs 1 crore) for Rs 4.20 crore. Ishant Sharma, with a base price of Rs 75 lakh, also went unsold.

    RR pick up Sanju Samson for Rs 8 cr

    Set five of the IPL auction started with the wicketkeepers to be auctioned. A total of 11 wicketkeepers were on the list. Parthiv Patel, with a base price of Rs 1 crore, went unsold; England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow also went unsold. South African keeper Quinton de Kock went to RCB for Rs 2.80 crore (base price Rs 2 crore).

    Wriddhiman Saha, with a base price of Rs 1 crore, went to SRH for Rs 5 crore. India wicketkeeper and batsman Dinesh Karthik went to KKR for Rs 7.40 crore. Robin Uthappa with a base price of Rs 2 crore went to MI for Rs 6.40 crore but KKR used their RTM and snatched him from MI.

    Sanju Samson with a base price of Rs 1 crore went to RR for Rs 8 crore.

    CSK won the bid for Ambati Rayudu with Rs 2.20 crore. His base price was 50 lakh. Sam Billings (base price Rs 1 crore) and Naman Ojha (Rs 75 lakh) failed to get picked up by any of the franchises.

    Jos Buttler (base price Rs 1.50 crore) was sold to RR for Rs 4.40 crore. 

    IPL auction: RCB splurge Rs 7.4 cr on Chris Woakes

    RCB spent a whopping Rs 7.4 crore to acquire England fast bowler Chris Woakes. His base price was Rs 1.5 crore. Meanwhile, Yusuf Pathan was sold to SRH (base price Rs 75 lakh) and Collin Munro (Rs 50 lakh) went to Delhi Daredevils. 

    Both players were sold at an identical price of Rs 1.9 crore. Kedar Jadhav was bought for Rs 7.80 crore (Rs 2 crore) and former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson for Rs 4 crore (Rs 1.5 crore) by CSK.

    IPL auction: Manish Pandey sold to SRH for Rs 11 cr

    Manish Pandey, who has been in and out of the India set up, has been picked by SRH for Rs 11 crore, the same amount as KL Rahul. Meanwhile, Chris Lynn was sold to KKR for Rs 9.60 crore.

    The last cricketer of the set, Martin Guptill, went unsold.

    Indian cricketer S Badrinath said, “Joe Roots is not IPL material but Chris Gayle and Hashim Amla not being unsold was a big surprise.” Amla wasn’t bought despite making two hundreds in the last season of the IPL.

    Brendon Mccullum went to RCB for Rs 3.60 crore. He will fill the slot of Chris Gayle as the opener in the side. Jason Roy was sold to Delhi Daredevils for Rs 1.5 crore.

    IPL auction: Joe Root goes unsold in his first season

    Joe Root, the English captain went unsold in his inaugural season. The last marquee player of the first set was Yuvraj Singh, who was bought by Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at a base price of Rs 2 crore. KXIP officials were happy with the deal.

    Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan was sold to SRH for Rs 2 crore. Glenn Maxwell, the distructive Australian batsmen, was bought by Delhi Daredevils for Rs 9 crore.

    Ex KKR captain Gautam Gambhir was sold for Rs 4.8 crore to Delhi Daredevils while New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was sold to SRH for Rs 3 crore.

    IPL auctions: Ben Stokes sold to RR for Rs 12.50 cr

    Mumbai Indians used the RTM for Kieron Pollard after Delhi Daredevils bought him for Rs 5.40 crore. Chris Gayle was unsold as no team started the bid. He can be presented again for the auction at the day’s end.

    Ben Stokes, the costliest player sold last year for 14.2 crore, is also the costliest player till now with Rs 12.50 crore to Rajasthan Royals (RR).

    Chennai Super Kings used RTM for Faf Du Plesis against Kings XI Punjab’s 1.60 crore bid.

    Ajinkya Rahane was retained by RR by using RTM against Kings XI Punjab’s Rs 4 crore bid.

    Mitchell Starc was sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 9.40 crore; he was previously with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

    Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Shrikant told Indiantelevision.com, “I’m not surprised seeing Chris Gayle not being sold. RCB may use RTM for KL Rahul and Yezuvendra Chahal. Chennai got the South African captain at a very good price.” at Star Sports Studio in Lower Parel Mumbai. 

    Star Sports has made a whole floor for the live studio feed for diiferent languages. Total of 12 studios that includes five major studios, five micro studios a fan box set-up and a cafe set-up.

    After a break of 15 minutes, Harbajan Singh was sold to Chennai Super Kings for his base price of Rs 2 crore.

    R Ashwin sold to Kings XI Punjab for Rs 7.60 crore

    The auction day has arrived and it’s time for the fans to be glued to their television sets and watch big money being spent on marquee players.

    The first player to be auctioned was Shikhar Dhawan at a base price of Rs 2 crore. Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and RR fought for the player, who was sold to Kings XI Punjab with highest bid of Rs 5.2 crore. Sunrisers Hyderabad, however, used Right to Match (RTM) and grabbed the opportunity at the same price.

    R Ashwin was the second player to be auctioned at the same base price of 2 crore. The spinner was sold for Rs 7. 6 crore to Kings XI Punjab.