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
Kaacon Sethi retires as CMO of Dainik Bhaskar Group after 12 years
Led brand, content and revenue innovation across media, sports and entertainment.
MUMBAI: After nearly a dozen years of shaping narratives and building brands, Kaacon Sethi is signing off from the marketing playbook at least for now. The long-time chief marketing officer at Dainik Bhaskar Group has stepped down, bringing to a close a 12-year stint that saw her steer the organisation through evolving media and revenue landscapes.
During her tenure, Sethi worked at the intersection of advertising, content and commerce collaborating closely with advertisers to craft client solutions and develop content-led offerings that went beyond traditional formats. Her role increasingly focused on aligning editorial strengths with brand objectives, unlocking new revenue streams in a media ecosystem undergoing rapid transformation.
Her journey at Bhaskar, she noted, was among the most defining phases of her career, one that allowed her to build, experiment and contribute across marketing, branded content and business strategy. From strengthening market presence to driving newer initiatives such as “Urban Bharat”, her work reflected a broader shift in how media organisations approach audience engagement and monetisation.
Sethi also highlighted the collaborative environment within the organisation, describing it as a space where ideas were tested, debated and pursued with conviction, an approach that helped shape several of the group’s marketing and content innovations over the years.
With experience spanning media, entertainment and sports marketing, her exit marks the end of a significant chapter not just for her but also for the organisation’s evolving marketing strategy.
For now, Sethi plans to take a short break before moving on to the next phase of her career. If the past 12 years are any indication, the pause may be brief but the impact is likely to linger longer.
