MAM
Cricket to face-off with football in Pepsi’s new ad campaign
MUMBAI: Indian cricketers will face-off with international football stars in Pepsi’s new campaign film as it takes the Twenty20 Football theme forward as part of its ‘Change the Game’ campaign.
Pepsi ‘s campaign will feature Indian cricketing heroes Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh; along with the biggest global football stars, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres.
In the campaign film, cricketers throw a challenge at footballers to a game of cricket to win Pepsi, while the footballers show them how to play cricket – football style. The film captures the essence of ‘Change the Game’ with a foot tapping soundtrack, ‘Mauke Pe Chauka’.
PepsiCo India Category Director – Colas, Hydration & Mango Based Beverages Homi Battiwalla said, “We celebrated the unorthodox face of cricket last year and gave the T20 twist to football this year; now we are bringing together both these sports on one common platform. Featuring the biggest names from the world of cricket and football, the campaign reflects our commitment to both the sports in our signature, ‘Change the Game’ way.”
The campaign is supported by a 360-degree approach including on-air, outdoor & on-ground initiatives; special edition packaging featuring and digital engagement programmes. The cola major is one of the broadcast sponsors of Max for the on-going IPL season.
“With this latest Pepsi campaign, we are bringing the cricketers and footballers together for the very first time in the history of Indian advertising. It is a truly clutter breaking campaign, mounted on a mega scale. The idea is simple with the ‘Change the Game’ thought at its core,” added JWT India ECD Surjo Dutt.
Pepsi recently launched its first football campaign in the country featuring actor Ranbir Kapoor, which was followed by a grassroots initiative, Pepsi T20 Football that takes football outside the conventional domain.
Organised in a unique metallic cage, the initiative is being organised in major Indian cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Ludhiana and Delhi, with phenomenal response. A total of 8-teams, including one winning team from each city and one wild card entry will compete to emerge as ‘Game Changers’.
They will then get the opportunity to be coached by an international football star before they face the Indian cricket stars for a game of Pepsi T20 Football at the Grand Finale.
If you are shortlisted for a few of the best CBSE schools in Mumbai, you are probably noticing a clear shift in what “good schooling” looks like today. Strong marks still matter, but so do safety systems, student wellbeing, and learning spaces that feel current and purposeful. The most trusted campuses are not choosing one priority over another. They are building a school experience where academics, safety, and modern facilities work together, day after day.
Academic Rigour Without Burnout
In many of the best CBSE schools in Mumbai, academic strength is built through clarity, consistency, and better teaching design, not endless pressure. You will often see a stronger focus on concept-building, application, and regular feedback to help children feel less lost or rushed.
Conceptual Learning That Feels Relevant
CBSE naturally rewards conceptual understanding, especially in STEM-heavy subjects, and schools are improving how they teach those fundamentals using more visual and hands-on approaches. Modern classrooms, well-planned labs, and reading spaces make it easier for students to connect theory with real understanding.
- Teachers explain concepts with models, demonstrations, and real-life examples, not only textbook reading
- Assessments include problem-solving and explanation-based answers, not only memory checks
- Structured academic support exists for students who need extra help, without labelling or shame
- Co-curricular learning is scheduled sensibly, so it supports academics rather than competing with them
Safety as a System, Not a Promise
Parents in Mumbai are rightly cautious. Traffic, large campuses, crowded neighbourhoods, and long commutes can increase risk if a school is casual about safety. Strong schools treat safety as a set of systems with accountability, not as a marketing line.
Compliance, Preparedness, and Child Protection
For CBSE-affiliated schools, safety expectations are not optional. CBSE’s affiliation norms direct schools to follow Supreme Court guidance, the national school safety policy, child protection safety manuals, and the National Building Code, along with strict requirements for building, fire, water, hygiene, transport precautions, and supervised cyber safety.
- Controlled entry and verified visitor processes
- Regular evacuation drills and clearly displayed emergency routes
- Trained staff in supervision in high-movement areas such as corridors, playgrounds, and activity blocks
- Transport systems designed for visibility and tracking, including GPS-enabled buses in many premium setups
- Clear digital safety rules in computer labs with adult supervision, not open access
Modern Facilities That Actually Support Learning
Facilities matter only when they improve learning and the day-to-day student experience. The strongest campuses invest in spaces that support teaching quality, student curiosity, and balanced development, rather than only impressing during a tour.
Learning Spaces Built for Understanding
Digitally enabled classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and functional libraries can improve how children learn, especially when teaching is designed around exploration and clarity rather than rote completion.
Sports and Creative Spaces That Build Confidence
A balanced CBSE school environment in Mumbai often includes sports courts, outdoor grounds, and dedicated rooms for music or activities, as these spaces foster discipline, teamwork, and self-expression.
What Parents Can Observe During a Campus Visit
A campus visit becomes far more useful when you look beyond brochures and ask how things run on a typical school day.
- Ask how the school tracks learning progress and supports students who are struggling
- Observe whether classrooms feel active and engaging, or silent and purely lecture-driven
- Check how entry and dispersal are managed during peak crowd times
- Ask how transport safety is monitored and how incidents are escalated to parents
- Look for visible safety signage, staff presence, and clear supervision routines
Closing Thoughts
The best CBSE schools in Mumbai are moving towards a more complete definition of school quality: strong academics taught with clarity, safety managed through systems and accountability, and facilities that genuinely support learning and growth. Many top CBSE schools in Hyderabad are also pushing towards concept-based learning, stronger safety routines, and upgraded learning spaces.
