Sports
How India paused to watch the T20 final
From society lawns to crowded pubs, India’s T20 World Cup victory turned the match into a shared national moment
MUMBAI: For a few hours last night, India did something unusual. It slowed down.
As the T20 World Cup final unfolded, the country pressed pause on its routine and gathered to watch. Apartment societies rolled out projectors in their courtyards. Banquet halls opened their doors and placed rows of chairs before giant screens. Pubs and bars filled to capacity as fans turned up not merely for a drink, but for the drama of cricket.
The match was everywhere, yet it was rarely on a mobile phone.
Instead, India chose the bigger spectacle. Families, neighbours and strangers watched together on televisions, LED screens and projectors that transformed ordinary spaces into impromptu stadiums. In residential complexes, children sat cross-legged on the ground while older residents occupied plastic chairs arranged in neat rows. In pubs, every boundary and wicket was greeted with cheers loud enough to drown out the commentary.
For once, the small screen lost its grip. Laptops remained shut. Phones were used mostly to capture the moment rather than consume it. The heroes of the evening were the bigger screens. The television in the living room, the projector on the society wall and the giant display above a crowded bar counter.
And with good reason. India delivered.
The national side clinched a historic second consecutive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, defeating New Zealand in the final and cementing their dominance in the format after the triumph of 2024. The victory was clinical and emphatic enough to spark celebrations almost immediately.
Soon after the final ball, the country erupted.
Motorbikes roared through neighbourhood streets with riders waving the tricolour. Firecrackers lit up the night sky. Groups gathered outside buildings, clapping and cheering as if the team could hear them across continents. In many homes and public spaces, strangers exchanged smiles and handshakes, an unspoken acknowledgement of shared joy.
By morning, the victory had become the nation’s first conversation.
“Did you watch the match yesterday?”
“Congratulations to Team India.”
From office corridors to neighbourhood tea stalls, the match dominated discussions. For a country of 1.4 billion people with wildly different routines and interests, the previous night had produced a rare moment of unity.
What made it remarkable was not just the win, but the way it was watched.
From Gen Z students to millennials and boomers, people chose to experience the match collectively. Cricket turned into a community event again, something to be shared in a crowd rather than consumed alone on a handheld device.
In an era when entertainment is increasingly individual and algorithm-driven, the final reminded India of a simpler ritual. Gathering around a screen and feeling every moment together.
The scoreboard will remember India’s title defence.
But the night will be remembered for something else too. The sound of a billion people watching, cheering and celebrating as one.
Sports
JK Lakshmi Cement named principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals
Cement maker’s logo to feature on team jersey for the 2026 T20 season.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets concrete, the partnership is built to last. JK Lakshmi Cement Limited has signed on as the principal sponsor of Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 T20 season, marking a renewed collaboration between two organisations that share deep roots in Rajasthan. Under the agreement, the JK Lakshmi Cement logo will appear prominently on the back of the Rajasthan Royals’ match jersey throughout the season. The brand will also feature across team gear, in stadium signage and digital match day content, giving it strong visibility during one of India’s most watched sporting tournaments.
For JK Lakshmi Cement, the partnership reflects a long standing association with the state. The company has maintained a significant presence in Rajasthan for decades through its manufacturing facilities, distribution network and relationships with contractors, dealers and local communities.
JK Lakshmi Cement, deputy managing director Shrivats Singhania, at said the collaboration celebrates the shared heritage of both organisations. “Rajasthan has always been integral to our journey, shaping our identity and growth from our factories and logistics to the people and businesses that inspire us every day. This partnership with Rajasthan Royals deepens that connection, celebrating the shared values of entrepreneurship, performance and enduring commitment,” he said.
He added that the national reach of the T20 league offers an opportunity to showcase Rajasthan’s spirit on a larger stage.
Cricket continues to be one of India’s most powerful cultural connectors, drawing fans across regions and generations. JK Lakshmi Cement sees the association as a way to strengthen engagement with stakeholders ranging from homeowners and contractors to engineers, masons and dealers.
JK Lakshmi Cement president and director Arun Shukla noted that the journey of the brand and the team share striking similarities. “The journey of Rajasthan Royals is similar to ours strong roots in Rajasthan and a growing presence across the country. This partnership is also about honouring the people who work hard every day to build India, irrespective of the state they reside in,” he said.
He added that the association will help bring the brand closer to audiences, from individual homes in smaller towns to large infrastructure projects in major cities, while connecting them to the energy of the T20 season.
From the team’s perspective, the partnership strengthens its ties with homegrown brands.
Rajasthan Royals chief operating officer Alok Chitre said the team was pleased to welcome JK Lakshmi Cement as its principal sponsor. “We are happy to have JK Lakshmi Cement as our principal sponsor for the Rajasthan Royals 2026 season. It means a lot that a brand from Rajasthan is on the back of the Royals jersey. JK Lakshmi Cement is a natural partner because it has a strong presence in the state and beyond,” he said.
As India’s infrastructure and construction sectors continue to grow, JK Lakshmi Cement has been focusing on operational strength, innovation and long term expansion. Strategic collaborations such as this allow the brand to connect with wider audiences while reinforcing its presence in markets where it has long operated.
For Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, the deal adds another regional ally to its roster proving that sometimes, the strongest partnerships are the ones built close to home.
