T-20 cricket fever has gripped the country again! As cities battle against each other and international + domestic cricketers unite, the madness levels are only going up multiple notches. Not to be left behind, we have picked our BMMBox XI. You think our team has it to win? Who would you select in your team and whom would you leave out? Do tell!

1-Chris Gayle (West Indies, Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Why he is awesome – He can destroy opposition bowlers and rip them apart but still be the coolest guy on the field. He hits a six every nine balls and makes a bowler regret their career choice every four balls. Decent off-spin bowler but his post-wicket celebrations are a spectacle in itself. If ever there was a title for “Mr. T20”, he sure would win it hands down.

2-Sachin Tendulkar (India, Mumbai Indians)

Why he is awesome – Almost 40, but no one can dare discount the little master. The entire stadium cheers for him regardless of what team they support. You really don’t need me to tell you why Sachin Tendulkar is awesome though. He might not be at his best in this format but we as Indians always want ‘God’ to be part of every cricketing occasion

3-Virat Kohli (India, Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Why he is awesome – Amongst the best batsmen from India’s next generation of players, Kohli oozes class and confidence.  Despite his reputation, Kohli is dead serious about his game. While he is not quite as aggressive as Gayle, on his day, Kohli can demolish opposition bowlers just as efficiently.

4-MS Dhoni (India, Chennai Super Kings)

Why he is awesome – Captain Cool,  Dhoni is an automatic choice for captain. Dhoni simply knows what it takes to win the IPL plus he is the only person who would be capable enough to handle such an extra-ordinary team.  Dhoni’s abilities with the bat alone would get him on this team and when he starts unfurling those trade-mark helicopter shots, there is very little that can halt him.

5-AB deVilliers (South Africa, Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Why he is awesome – A wicket-keeper batsman who has every shot in the book. His audacious stroke play always leaves bowlers guessing what he will do next.  He is a prolific run-scorer who adapts to any situation and gets his team to the finish line in crunch situations.  Extra-ordinary athleticism behind the wickets or in the outfield makes him indispensable in this form of the game.

6-Shane Watson (Australia, Rajasthan Royals)

Why he is awesome – If all-rounders is what one is looking for, Shane Watson is right there on top among the best in the world. A destructive batsman and an equally potent medium pacer he surely can win games on his own. Watson is a true 360 degree player.

7-Keiron Pollard (West Indies, Mumbai Indians)

Why he is awesome – When Pollard gets going, no stadium is big enough for him. Always a contender for the biggest sixes of the season, Pollard’s hitting is just as renowned for its frequency as for its brutality. Pollard can also bowl some surprisingly good medium pace and he chips in with a few wickets here and there. In the outfield, he is unbeatable though and some of his catches defy gravity.

8-Ravichandran Ashwin (India, CSK)

Why he is awesome – T20 may not be a bowlers game but it does not seem to matter for Ravichandran Ashwin . Ashwin has all the tricks in his armoury and he is not afraid to use them. A paragon of parsimony, Ashwin really hates having to give runs and maintains a tight line and length. Batsmen trying to break free of his grip usually find themselves back in the pavilion quickly.

9-Dale Steyn (South Africa, Sun Risers Hyderabad)

Why he is awesome – Dale Steyn is currently the best fast bowler in the world, period. He has it all, pace, accuracy, variations, aggression and an intimidating stare. He has been terrorising batsmen for the last 9 years now while racking up the best statistics in the business and this IPL season doesn’t look like it would be any different.

10- Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka, Mumbai Indians)

Why he is awesome – With his bowling action, Malinga’s deliveries shouldn’t land anywhere near the pitch let alone the stumps but Malinga hits the wickets more often than any other bowler in this tournament. His slinging action makes his deliveries difficult to pick up. Add a devastating slower ball to the mix and you get a perfect T20 bowler.

11- Sunil Narine (West Indies, KKR)

Why he is awesome – West Indies does not have a vibrant tradition of spin but that did not stop Sunil Narine from taking a big bunch of wickets at the domestic and international level. A surprise pick at last year’s IPL, where he was picked up for $700,000, Narine’s stellar performance made him look like a bargain. This year, we might see a lot more wizardry from the pointy-haired west Indian.

A huge crowd of spectators at the Eden, screaming and hoping that Chris Gayle can smash Anil Kumble all over the park, Matthew Hayden coming in to bat carrying a Mongoose, high decibel music coupled with dancing cheerleaders succeeding every boundary or wicket, Saurav Ganguly using all his captaincy brains to get Sachin Tendulkar out. These statements which might have been fragments of imagination or even absurdity a couple of years back is now the reality of the Indian Premier League. The slam-bang format of the so called “Gentleman’s Game” has been further sensationalized by the IPL. In a recent interview, Saurabh Tiwary (Mumbai Indians) said “If you make a century in a Ranji match, nobody notices, but even a quick-fire 30 in the IPL makes you popular.” Although this statement raises a lot of questions, it certainly gives one clear answer – The Indian Premier League has captured the imagination of the country.

The limited version of the game began with a 60 over format. Today a 20 over format is recognized and it has earned recognition. Add to this, shorter boundaries, batsman friendly pitches, breathtaking amount of money, fashion shows, plethora of sponsors and you have the recipe for the IPL. Experts often term this format as the “death of bowlers”. When you give it a thought, 10 batsmen, 20overs with no bowler being allowed to bowl more than 4, on flat tracks does seem a tad unfair to the bowlers. People on the other side of the spectrum defend themselves by calling it a “Test for bowlers” and entertainment for the masses. One cannot deny that it is thrilling to watch a Sehwag or a Gilchrist relentlessly smashing the ball to all corners or a team getting past 200 in 20overs. It is no doubt very entertaining, but this brings us to the biggest question of them all- What is IPL? Is it cricket? Or is it entertainment?

The government has been at loggerheads with the BCCI, the issue being the imposition of entertainment tax on the IPL. Two teams battling it out on the field is just a miniscule aspect of the IPL. Terms like revenue, sponsors, franchise have become part of the game like never before. What is it about IPL that is attracting so much of star power and money power? One answer is that IPL is a sensational platform for “Brand-building”. Various brands have showcased themselves either as individual sponsors of franchises or as a franchise itself. Sponsors greatly believe in the brand building capacity of the IPL. Mumbai Indians get revenue close to 50cr from their individual sponsors (Videocon Mobile Services, Thomas Cook, Kingfisher, Pepsi to name a few). Take a look at their jersey and you’ll have a hard time counting all the logos of the different brands in there. In addition, franchises earn from gate receipts, in-stadia advertising, merchandise sales as well as media tie-ups. SetMax renegotiated a deal of Rs 8,200cr with the IPL last year. Franchises get 80% of the revenue coming in from Max this year. No wonder two new teams are eager to become part of the bandwagon even at a base price of 225 million dollars. Also, the publicity that Shahrukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Preity Zinta, Vijay Mallya get during the tournament is so extensive, that now even Saifeena wants to join the party. According to analysts, the smaller franchises like KKR or the Rajasthan Royals will be logical from the business point of view, if they look for a stake out. I simply ask….ARE WE STILL TALKING CRICKET?

Next year with two new teams, 94 matches will have to be covered in the allotted 45 days. So “overdose of cricket” is set to have a new definition. The BCCI sits at the top of all charts, their profits expected to touch 700cr this year. Indulging in such exorbitant finances speaks volumes of a country where children still die eating mud. A country where national hockey players have to go on strike for their 5 figure salaries boasts of buying foreign players for millions of dollars. India is getting the eyes of the world with the IPL, it remains to be decided though if the eyes are gaping in awe at this spectacle or glaring in dismay at the foolishness. As viewers, IPL is a treat to watch- action packed and fun filled, but as citizens of a developing country, I think it’s time we start looking beyond the madness…

– Sanchayan Bhattacharjee –

Samsung Electronics recently launched its latest campaign for ‘Guru’, its sub-segment handset targeted at the mass market in India. The company aims to bank on the IPL season to attract eyeballs and get noticed. Cheil and Starcom Worldwide are the creative brains behind the campaign.

The campaign gets together some of the biggest names in the industry. From Aamir Khan, who is the brand ambassador of the brand to Anurag Kashyap, who has directed the ad along with Gulzar, penning the lyrics with Amit Trivedi composing the music.

Asim Warsi, Head – Marketing, Samsung Mobile, said that “ Given the business priority of the company, the turn of the quarter also meant that Guru would have to assume a different proportion in media and advertising freshness.” He asked, “What better than having IPL to take the story forward? In context of the market and the target for this brand, the mainstay media used for the campaign is television. We would support this with print and outdoor.”

Warsi further explained, “There are phones and more in the market place – the way we have tried to build the brand, and would continue to do so, is to make a connect at a human level. So, it is fine that we are leading in technology and innovation, but it has to be relevant in consumers’ lives. Guru is at the core of that, it represents our popular and mass segment of phone. To connect with the mass belly of India, we wanted Guru to play a certain role – that of a buddy, a bridge, a bonder – and this campaign is about that.”

Guru was launched two years ago and since then the advertising campaigns have always reflected a young guy being guided and assisted by his cell-phone, which helps him overcome all barriers and move ahead in life.

The ‘desi girl’ Priyanka Chopra is all set to make her debut on the small screen. Priyanka Chopra has been signed by Colors TV to host Fear Factor 3 -Khatron Ke Khiladi, which is a special IPL edition.

The earlier format had 13 models and one Khiladi, but the third season will see 13 cricketers both national and international battling it out to win the title.

Ashvini Yardi, Programming Head-Colors, confirmed the news,” Akshay took the Khatron Ke Khiladi series to greater heights. We wanted a change in the concept of the show and so earlier, we had 13 ‘haseenayein’ and one ‘khiladi’, but now, we have one haseena and 13 cricketing khiladis from IPL in the upcoming season. We have a tie up with the IPL edition to enhance the branding between IPL and Colors and we will have year-long activities to demonstrate the merger.”

Priyanka spoke about her new role, “I am honored to be associated with one of the biggest shows on Indian television today as it fits aptly with my personality. I have been an avid watcher of the Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi series till now. I look forward to my innings in the TV industry with this show that gives an adrenaline rush to the viewers. The concept of the show, which will see some of the biggest names of cricket vying for the title, attracted me.”

Hope this haseena manages to charm the TRPs as well as the Khiladi did 🙂

Mountain Dew has partnered with Kings XI Punjab as its official sponsor for the upcoming season of IPL. The deal has earned exclusive rights for the IPL home matches by featuring the brand on player’s uniforms.

Alpana Titus, Executive Director (flavors) PepsiCo India told the press that the partnership will help Mountain Dew as a brand launch consumer engagements that will help strengthening the market share in North India specifically Haryana, Himachal, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir. PepsiCo India has gained a good share in the market from Punjab and Haryana and Mountain Dew as a brand has been responsible for the growth of success.

Alpana Titus also disclosed that they are soon rolling out a campaign “’Dar ki Wicket Girayega to Hamare Saath Khelega’” for cricket fans who get to play with their favorite icons from KXIP. The winner also gets to take home branded merchandise, complementary tickets to IPL matches and other value added gifts.

The brand will adopt a 360 degree marketing approach and roll out marketing campaigns across colleges, marketplaces, radio, TV, outdoor and multiplexes, where direct engagement with consumers is possible.

There’s almost a month for IPL to get kick started, but the news just can’t stop pouring in. Be it the controversy around Pak players, live telecast on YouTube or the mere excitement of being back in India, we just can’t get enough of it. The latest is the deal cracked between IPL and Colors channel.

According to sources, a three-year licensing deal has been signed between IPL and Viacom18’s Hindi GEC, Colors. As part of the deal, special programmes will be created around IPL and the cricket wonders all year round to cater to the audience what is being termed as ‘cricketainment’.

IPL’s chairman and commissioner, Lalit Modi, said, “The partnership with Colors takes the IPL cricketainment quotient into an all-new orbit. With this unique partnership with the channel that we have entered on behalf of our franchisees, we are delivering on our promise to extend the IPL franchise beyond cricket, beyond the IPL season. This move combines our IPL cricketers’ mass appeal and Colors’ flagship format shows, to create an unprecedented genre of cricketainment.”

Rajesh Kamat, group chief operating officer, Viacom18, and chief executive officer, Colors, further added, “Both the tournament and the channel are two-year old brands and both believe in being disruptive. IPL created a stir in the game of cricket and Colors did the same in the GEC space. The coming together of the two brands is a deadly mix of religion and passion — cricket is a religion with the cricket-crazy nation and Bollywood stars are a passion with Bollywood lovers.”

The programming innovation at Colors will see national and International players starring in reality show Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi, post IPL. Apart from this, an award show, titled IPL Awards Night will also feature on the channel followed by a cricket talent hunt show Rockstar.

Kamat concluded, “Fiction is bread and butter for the channel. Thus, IPL-led content will be geared to fit towards non-fiction slots. Moreover, IPL-based content will serve to add variety to the content on offer for viewers.”

The third season of Indian Premier League is surely going to be bigger than expected. The latest is the deal signed between IPL and Google India, which would allow cricket lovers to watch the game live through YouTube. This will include 44 days of IPL with 59 matches. IPL 2010 is scheduled to start in March.

Per the deal, YouTube will broadcast matches live or on a short delay on a dedicated YouTube channel. The viewership will not apply in the USA, which will have re-broadcast options.

Confirming the news, Lalit Modi, added, “This changes the world of sports broadcasting. The internet has changed the lives of everyone and this will do the same for sport. We are now taking our event truly global for the first time. Google gives us access to 500 million pairs of eyes every single moment of the day. There are a few countries where the feed will be near as live which means there will be a delay of only a few minutes, but most places will be able to see live streaming of the action.”

“We do not have a live feed in the UK. People in the UK keep asking me why they can’t see it. Now if they have a broadband connection they can get it for free. It is about broadening the fan base, after that everything follows,” Modi said.

“We are thrilled to have the IPL as our global partner,” said Shailesh Rao, senior manager of Google India. “YouTube offers an open platform for sports and entertainment companies to take their content to a global audience and a great opportunity for advertisers.”

Shailesh Rao added that the medium would just allow anyone with a broadband connection to watch the match live and at the same time give the ultimate control in the hand of the viewers. So they can freeze, fast-forward and rewind the feed, as well as watch replays at any time during the day, a choice that is unavailable to television viewers who are bound by broadcast schedules.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during its 80th annual general meeting (AGM) in Mumbai announced the decision to restore IMG as the promoting agency for the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament. The agency was associated with IPL since the first season, but things changed after dispute over their fee for the second season held at South Africa.

The agency had presented a bill of Rs 33 crore to BCCI, which was not accepted by the board as it seemed objectionable to some BCCI officials. The Board’s demand to lower the fee was not accepted by IMG, which later decided to terminate the contract at a meeting of its working committee on 13 August, with BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan conveying the message in writing to the agency.

However, with seven out of eight IPL teams favoring IMG along with support from agriculture minister and former board president Sharad Pawar, league boss Lalit Modi and broadcast partner Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd, BCCI had to reopen talks with IMG.

While IMG will be paid Rs33 crore for its work on the second season of IPL in South Africa early this year, the new agreement states that IMG will have to settle for a fixed sum of Rs27 crore as annual fee for the next eight years of the contract, said Shashank Manohar, president, BCCI.