IPL 2025: Franchises Up Their Game with Creative Promos and Fan-Centric Strategies
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) celebrates its 18th edition in 2025, franchises are pushing boundaries with innovative promotional content and digital campaigns. From smart reels and witty puns to region-specific BGMs and influencer-driven memes, teams are creating viral content that goes beyond cricket. With social media platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube being key battlegrounds, IPL franchises are turning fan engagement into an art form.
Smart Reels and Slow-Mo Teasers: Grabbing Eyeballs
Short-form content continues to dominate social media, and IPL franchises are capitalizing on this trend with creative reels and slow-motion teaser clips.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) posted a reel featuring Virat Kohli walking onto the field in slow motion, backed by a Kannada BGM. The caption, “When the King enters, the clock stops ticking,” became an instant hit, driving massive engagement.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crafted a cinematic reel featuring Ruturaj Gaikwad alongside popular Tamil and Hindi movie characters, forming an unlikely “Thala-Thalapathy” trio. The creative crossover aimed at expanding CSK’s Hindi-speaking fanbase.
Mumbai Indians (MI) dropped a teaser of Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery yorkers in slow-mo, with a cinematic BGM, creating a Hollywood-style action sequence effect.
These visually appealing reels are designed to stop scrolling thumbs, making them highly shareable.
Witty Puns and Meme-Worthy Captions: Adding a Comic Twist
IPL franchises are using quirky puns and pop culture references to keep their content fresh and humorous.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) posted a meme of Travis Head with the caption, “Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore the stache!”—poking fun at his iconic moustache, which became a love-hate symbol after India’s loss to Australia in the T20 World Cup final.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) launched a creative pun campaign, blending cricket terms with local culture. Their Garba-themed post encouraging fans to “Dandiya for every six” added a regional twist to cricket celebrations.
Delhi Capitals (DC) took a playful dig at fans missing KL Rahul, using Rishabh Pant in a reel titled, “Forget your ex, we’ve got Pant,” making light of Rahul’s move to LSG.
These pun-filled and meme-worthy posts not only entertain but also encourage fans to share them, amplifying the teams’ reach.
Regional BGMs and Cultural Appeal: Striking a Local Chord
Franchises are incorporating local language BGMs and culturally specific content to resonate with their regional fanbase.
RCB’s Kannada BGM featuring Faf du Plessis walking into Chinnaswamy Stadium created a strong local connection, making fans feel a sense of pride.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) featured a Bengali rap BGM in their player intro reels, infusing the team’s promos with the city’s cultural vibe.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) used Punjabi folk music in their promo for Shikhar Dhawan, enhancing their appeal to the Punjabi-speaking audience.
These cultural nods make the franchises feel more relatable and strengthen their emotional bond with local fans.
Influencer Collaborations: The Viral X-Factor
Franchises are increasingly collaborating with comedians and social media influencers to create humorous, shareable content.
RCB’s Mr Nags, the popular fictional character, humorously confronted bowler Yash Dayal, asking if he was nervous about bowling at Chinnaswamy—a reference to the stadium’s high-scoring nature.
CSK roped in Tamil YouTubers to create skits featuring their players, blending cricket and comedy seamlessly.
Delhi Capitals (DC) collaborated with local Delhi-based influencers to promote Rishabh Pant, using playful content to retain their loyal fanbase.
These influencer partnerships add a relatable and entertaining dimension to the teams’ social media presence.
User-Generated Content (UGC): Engaging the Fans
To boost fan participation, franchises are encouraging user-generated content (UGC) through interactive campaigns.
Mumbai Indians (MI) launched a contest asking fans to recreate their favorite player’s signature celebration, offering signed merchandise as rewards.
CSK asked fans to share their best cricketing pun captions for match highlight posts, making the campaign interactive.
KKR started a “Fan Reel of the Day” initiative, showcasing the most creative fan-made reels on their official handles.
These UGC campaigns not only enhance engagement but also create a sense of community among fans.
Hashtags and Social Media Trends: Dominating the Digital Space
Franchises are strategically using catchy hashtags to increase visibility and ride trending topics.
#YelloveForever (CSK) and #PlayBold (RCB) trended on X within minutes of their campaign launches.
Mumbai Indians’ hashtag #HitmanForever, dedicated to Rohit Sharma, gained massive traction, with fans sharing personalized memes and posts.
LSG’s “#GarbaForSix” campaign became a trend, as fans posted dance clips celebrating sixes during matches.
By riding social media trends, franchises are ensuring their promos reach millions of fans worldwide.
IPL 2025: A Celebration of Cricket and Creativity
As IPL 2025 progresses, it’s evident that franchises are no longer just competing on the field but also in the digital arena. With creative reels, cultural connections, and influencer collaborations, IPL franchises are making cricket a full-fledged entertainment spectacle.
These innovative strategies not only enhance fan loyalty but also turn IPL into a year-round cultural phenomenon.
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