Brands
Hyundai revs up ICC T20 buzz with Deewane Humsafar campaign
GURUGRAM: As the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gathers pace, Hyundai Motor India Limited has shifted into top gear. Under its multi year Premier Partnership with the ICC, the carmaker has rolled out a nationwide brand campaign titled Deewane India ka Deewana Humsafar, a celebration of cricket, cars and the curious ways Indians lose their minds when the bat meets the ball.
Fronted by Shah Rukh Khan, Hyundai’s long time brand ambassador, the campaign sets out to tap into a simple truth. In India, cricket is not just watched. It is lived, debated, argued over and occasionally worshipped. Hyundai wants to be there for all of it.
At the heart of the campaign is a brand film directed by filmmaker Vasan Bala, known for his offbeat storytelling and sharp visual style. The film leans into 1990s nostalgia, reimagining the iconic song Yeh Dil Deewana from Shah Rukh Khan’s cult classic Pardes. The result is a playful blend of old school romance and modern fandom, where time pauses during a match and the entire country seems to hold its breath together.
According to Hyundai Motor India Limited managing director and chief executive officer Tarun Garg, “cricket mirrors the values the brand believes in. Continuity, belief and aspiration.” He said the campaign reflects how cricket is woven into everyday life, far beyond stadiums and scorecards, much like Hyundai’s three decade journey in India shaped by trust, innovation and an emotional bond with consumers.
The film positions Hyundai as more than a mobility brand. It casts the company as a fellow traveller in the emotional journeys that cricket fans take, from nail biting finishes to unforgettable victories. In Hyundai’s telling, the same energy that fuels Indian cricket fandom also drives the brand forward.
The campaign is designed as a full throttle 360 degree effort, running across television, digital and radio. Hyundai is also the co-powered presenter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on JioHotstar connected TV, using the platform to reach a premium, digitally savvy audience with immersive storytelling during the tournament.
Beyond the screen, Hyundai has launched a nationwide user generated content contest titled Cricket ka Sabse Bada Deewana. Running from 2 to 21 February 2026, the contest invites fans to post photos or videos showcasing their love for cricket on Instagram, tagging Hyundai India and using the campaign hashtag. Winners stand a chance to win an all expense paid trip to watch an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match, terms and conditions apply.
To bring fans closer to the action, Hyundai recently organised Hyundai Trophy Connect, displaying the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 trophy in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugram. Visitors could see the trophy up close, pose for photographs and test their passion on a quirky Deewangi Meter. Cricket themed photo zones, a stadium style set up and a virtual reality cricket game added to the buzz.
The excitement also extends to Hyundai showrooms across the country. Cricket themed dealerships, fan engagement zones and special test drive campaigns are giving customers a taste of T20 fever alongside Hyundai’s product line up. Selected participants can even win match tickets as part of the test drive programme, subject to terms and conditions.
Inside the stadiums, fans can expect the brand presence to continue. Hyundai plans immersive in stadium activations, product displays and interactive experiences designed to turn match days into all round celebrations of sport, innovation and shared emotion.
With Deewane India ka Deewana Humsafar, Hyundai is betting that even those who claim not to follow cricket might still enjoy the ride. After all, in India, cricket has a way of finding everyone eventually.
Brands
Microsoft faces worst quarter since 2008 financial crisis
Cloud giant battles soaring AI costs and fierce competition from nimble startups.
MUMBAI: When the tech titan starts looking a little wobbly, even the Magnificent Seven can feel the tremors because Microsoft is currently starring in its own sequel, “Clouds and Doubts.” Microsoft is on track for its worst quarterly performance since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to Bloomberg, as investors grow increasingly uneasy about rising capital expenditure and intensifying competition from nimble AI firms. The company has been pouring money into AI infrastructure, yet markets are questioning when these hefty investments will finally deliver stronger revenue growth.
At the same time, investors are shifting away from traditional software stocks amid fears that AI startups such as Anthropic and OpenAI are developing autonomous agents capable of replacing established products, including those from Microsoft. Jonathan Cofsky, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors, noted growing concern that customers may bypass Microsoft and deal directly with AI vendors, potentially disrupting its core business and putting pressure on pricing and margins.
Microsoft’s stock has tumbled 25 per cent in the first quarter, putting it on course for its largest drop since a 27 per cent fall in the fourth quarter of 2008. It has also emerged as the weakest performer among the so-called Magnificent Seven technology stocks, while a broader index tracking the group has fallen 14 per cent over the same period. The shares slipped a further 1.7 per cent after markets opened on Friday, marking a potential fourth consecutive session of declines.
Cofsky pointed out that Microsoft has become more capital intensive and that improved investor confidence will hinge on assurances that software growth will not slow materially. Despite the sell-off, the stock is now trading at less than 20 times projected earnings over the next 12 months, its lowest valuation level since June 2016. Its valuation remains slightly above that of the S&P 500 Index, although it has recently traded at a discount to the broader benchmark for the first time since 2015.
Bloomberg data shows Microsoft’s capital expenditure, including leases, is expected to surge to $146 billion in fiscal 2026, up around 66 per cent from $88 billion in fiscal 2025. Spending is projected to climb further to $170 billion in fiscal 2027 and $191 billion in fiscal 2028, based on average estimates. Investors are growing cautious about such levels of spending without clearer signs of stronger growth.
Microsoft’s Azure cloud division has reported a slight slowdown in growth compared with the previous quarter, while its Copilot AI product has seen limited user traction, prompting internal changes aimed at improving performance. Ben Reitzes, an analyst at Melius Research, warned in a March note that Microsoft’s upside in Azure could be constrained as the company works to address challenges related to its AI models and Copilot offering, adding that these issues are unlikely to be resolved in the short term.
Of the 67 analysts covering Microsoft, 63 maintain buy ratings, three hold ratings and one a sell rating. The average 12-month price target of $592 implies a potential upside of more than 64 per cent, the highest on record based on data going back to 2009. The stock is also trading below its 200-day moving average by the widest margin since 2009.
Reitzes suggested the dominance of buy ratings may indicate complacency among analysts, while highlighting risks in Microsoft’s productivity and business processes segment as well as its More Personal Computing division. In contrast, Tal Liani of Bank of America reinstated coverage with a buy rating, citing durable multi-year growth prospects across cloud and AI. Jake Seltz, portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments, maintained that Microsoft retains strong long-term value and that its AI strategy is likely to be validated over time, viewing near-term concerns as a potential opportunity for longer-term investors.
The report highlights a growing divergence in market sentiment, with optimism around long-term AI potential weighed against immediate execution risks and investor uncertainty. In the world of big tech, even the mightiest clouds can have silver linings but right now, Microsoft’s investors are scanning the horizon for clearer skies.
