MAM
Local lines, global stars as WPL faces pop up on Mumbai locals
MUMBAI: When the daily commute throws up a googly, even seasoned Mumbai travellers take note. In mid-January 2026, commuters aboard Mumbai’s local trains spotted a quiet but striking visual shift inside women’s compartments where a familiar emblem was reimagined to feature Indian cricketers Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanjot Kaur.
Both players appeared wearing Mumbai Indians jerseys, aligning with the ongoing Women’s Premier League, where they are currently representing the franchise. Notably, the placement carried no brand logos, slogans or remembered campaign lines leaning instead on recognition, timing and cultural context.
The choice of women’s compartments added an extra layer of relevance. Rather than algorithm-led targeting or screen-based segmentation, the message met its audience through shared physical space and routine travel, an everyday setting where visibility feels organic rather than imposed.
For media and marketing watchers, the sighting signals a subtle shift in how sports personalities and brands inhabit public spaces. The emphasis appears to be moving away from explicit promotion towards cultural placement allowing commuters to connect the dots themselves, without being told what to see or feel.
Mumbai’s suburban trains, among the city’s most habitual and unglamorous environments, are defined by repetition and predictability. That is precisely what made this appearance stand out. In a space where nothing usually changes, a quiet visual cue did and in doing so, turned a routine ride into a moment of cultural recognition.
Brands
Ascenta elevates Adheip Bakshi to sales director amid growth push
Move aligns with expansion plans and flagship Basalt Hills development
MUMBAI: Ascenta has elevated its co-founder Adheip Bakshi to the role of sales director, signalling a sharper focus on scaling operations and expanding its market footprint.
Bakshi, who has been instrumental in shaping the company’s sales and marketing strategy since its early days, brings over a decade of experience in real estate sales and operational planning. He has played a central role in building Ascenta’s channel network and refining its go-to-market approach.
The leadership move comes as the company gears up for its next phase of growth, anchored by Basalt Hills, a 20-acre low-density villa estate positioned within the emerging Mumbai 3.0 corridor. Designed as a hospitality-led, lifestyle-focused community, the project combines serviced plots, bespoke villas and curated infrastructure within a natural basalt landscape.
Speaking on his new role, Bakshi said, “I’m excited to take on this role at a pivotal stage in Ascenta’s journey. Our focus remains on building a disciplined, channel-driven sales ecosystem while aligning closely with evolving buyer expectations for lifestyle-oriented developments. Basalt Hills is a strong reflection of this direction, and we aim to scale thoughtfully while maintaining the integrity of the product and experience.”
Commenting on the elevation, Ascenta founder and managing director Karan Bahl said, “This elevation reflects a natural progression, recognising Adheip’s contribution to the business and his ability to scale sales operations in a competitive luxury segment. As we expand our portfolio of boutique, design-led developments, strengthening leadership across functions remains a key priority.”
With this leadership shift, Ascenta appears to be doubling down on structured growth while keeping its focus firmly on design-led, premium real estate, a space that continues to evolve with changing buyer aspirations.
