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SportsBaazi on-boards global cricket star, Rashid Khan as brand ambassador
Mumbai: SportsBaazi, India’s premier sports gaming platform, is proud to announce the appointment of global cricket sensation, Rashid Khan, as its brand ambassador. Known for his cricketing skills and versatility across various roles, Rashid Khan perfectly embodies the Baazigar spirit, driven by his passion and hunger for the game.
Rashid’s popularity and familiarity with the audiences will spotlight SportsBaazi’s key communication theme, ‘Live Mein Hai Vibe.’ With a focus on the Watch and Play category, Rashid’s dynamic presence with his year-round showcase of skills for Afghanistan’s National Cricket team and in franchise leagues like Big Bash League (BBL), Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), resonates well with the brand’s quest for someone who is always ‘Live’ and loves to play the game all the time. His popularity as one of the most-loved foreign cricketers in India will amplify the core message of SportsBaazi – ‘Play Live. Win Live.’
Rashid Khan shared his excitement on the partnership and said, “I am thrilled to represent SportsBaazi and be part of this unique opportunity to build spectator engagement gaming. The growth of skill-based games like Fantasy sports in India over the last seven years is nothing short of fascinating. It’s an honor to see sports fans transition from mere spectators to decision-makers with the ‘LIVE’ feature based on their knowledge and understanding of the games. I am delighted to be part of SportsBaazi, a platform that celebrates every sport in India uniquely.”
SportsBaazi CMO and co-founder Puneet Dua expressed, “Rashid Khan epitomises the Baazigar spirit and has made a mark in the world of cricket with his skill and dedication, aligning perfectly with our vision. Through this association, we aim for Rashid to inspire our users to see challenges as opportunities for achieving success. Rashid has played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s rise in world cricket, and we believe his representation will revolutionise the online fantasy sports (OFS) industry.”
For SportsBaazi’s existing users, Rashid Khan’s popularity surged dramatically, especially after Afghanistan’s spirited performance in the World Cup ‘23. Despite falling short of the semi-finals, it was their best World Cup campaign, and Rashid’s influence on the team is evident. With 72 per cent of his 8.7 Mn social media followers being Indians, Rashid’s connection with fans, including SportsBaazi users, is undeniable.
SportsBaazi to achieve their ‘Watch and Play’ vision, recently introduced an innovative concept where fans not only watch their favourite sports but actively participate in live skill games. This immersive experience brings fans closer to the thrill of live sports, encouraging them to test their knowledge about the sport and player dynamics.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
