Sports
JioHotstar hits record 821 million concurrent views as India crushed New Zealand
A record-breaking night for JioHotstar as the Men in Blue clinch a third crown
AHMEDABAD: It turns out that there is indeed something more crowded than a Mumbai local at rush hour: the JioHotstar servers during a World Cup final. On Sunday night, as India dismantled New Zealand to secure their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, the digital world didn’t just watch; it collectively held its breath.
The newly minted streaming giant recorded a staggering 82.1 crore (821 million) concurrent views. To put that in perspective, that is roughly ten times the population of Germany tuning in to watch twenty-two men chase a leather ball under the Saharan heat of the Ahmedabad floodlights.
The match itself was less of a contest and more of a coronation. Abhishek Sharma provided the initial spark, but it was Sanju Samson who truly brought the house down with a bruising 89. By the time India reached 255, the Kiwis looked like they were trying to stop a landslide with a toothpick.
When it was time to bowl, Jasprit Bumrah reminded the world why he is essentially a cheat code in human form. His 4 for 15 ensured the New Zealand chase never really left the runway, eventually folding for 159.
While the players were hitting sixes, the marketing departments were hitting gold mines. With nearly a billion sets of eyes glued to the screen, the cost per second for a slot on JioHotstar reportedly reached levels usually reserved for private islands and small spacecraft.
Brands moved away from traditional storytelling, opting for “blink and you miss it” micro-ads designed to capture the frantic attention of a mobile-first audience. Advertisers reportedly shelled out upwards of Rs 50 lakh for a mere 10-second spot, with some premium 20-second slots fetching a cool Rs 1 crore. From rapid-delivery grocery apps promising snacks in under 10 minutes (ideally before the next over) to car manufacturers launching models via on-pitch QR codes that saw over 5 million scans in a single hour, the boundary between sport and shopping has never been thinner. By the final wicket, JioStar was projected to have raked in over Rs 2,000 crore in ad revenue from this single tournament.
The real winner, aside from Suryakumar Yadav’s men, was the infrastructure. In a country where the internet can sometimes be as temperamental as a sticky wicket, the platform stayed upright under the weight of 821 million people.
It was a night where the Buffering wheel was nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by the sight of blue shirts hoisting silverware. India is champions again, and the world of broadcasting has a new, incredibly high bar to clear.
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.
