ESPNcricinfo and Maruti Suzuki Arena host exclusive Pre-ODI World Cup event

As the cricket world eagerly counts down to the highly anticipated ODI World Cup 2023, cricket enthusiasts across the globe are immersed in spirited discussions and mounting excitement. Amidst this palpable fervor, ESPNcricinfo

, a stalwart in cricket coverage with over three decades of excellence, once again reaffirms its commitment to delivering unrivaled content and extraordinary experiences to cricket aficionados.

In a momentous collaboration with Maruti Suzuki Arena, ESPNcricinfo proudly presented the exclusive event, "Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents ESPNcricinfo Road To the World Cup." This prestigious closed-door gathering featured a captivating discussion with cricket legends, Ravi Shastri and Harbhajan Singh, alongside the ESPNcricinfo presenter and host for the evening, Raunak Kapoor, and ESPNcricinfo's Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Sambit Bal. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer- Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

The enlightening conversation delved deep into the significance of One Day Internationals (ODIs) in the contemporary cricket landscape, the mounting excitement surrounding the ODI World Cup, and the personal experiences and perspectives shared by both players and fervent fans. This exclusive gathering took place amidst the opulent ambiance of the JW Marriott, Aero City, New Delhi, on the evening of September 29th, 2023, before a captivated audience of more than 100 attendees.

Mr. Shashank Srivastava, a devoted cricket enthusiast, set the tone for the evening by reminiscing about his own cricketing memories and how they epitomize the values of teamwork and leadership, transcending both the sports arena and the corporate world. His recollection of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, where the Indian cricket team, under the inspired leadership of Sourav Ganguly, showcased exceptional resilience and determination, left an indelible mark on the audience. Mr. Srivastava expressed his enthusiastic anticipation for the future of cricket in India, highlighting the parallels between the sport and Maruti Suzuki's unwavering commitment to teamwork and excellence. Asserting his trust in ESPNcricinfo, Mr. Srivastava said, “we are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with ESPNcricinfo as we celebrate 6 years of Maruti Suzuki ARENA. With ARENA, we have reached over 7 million customers in last six years.  and continues to bring joy of mobility to over 1 million families across the country every year. India is a growing economy, and a lot of young buyers look to buy cars every year. ARENA is normally the place where younger people buy their first cars. And therefore, cricket and digital become a natural fit for our integrated campaigns; over 30% of our total spends are on digital this year. In ESPNcricinfo, we have a trusted partner through whom we aim to reach out to millions of young Indians who cherish their daily dose of cricket content.”

During the event, Ravi Shastri, renowned for his illustrious cricketing career and current role as a cricket commentator, shared his insights from attending Formula 1 races in India. He emphasized the substantial potential of Formula 1 in a country as vast as India, commending the sport's emphasis on teamwork. Shastri also voiced his lofty expectations for Team India in the upcoming ODI World Cup, citing the team's remarkable talent and unity.

Ravi Shastri shared his predictions for the World Cup semifinalists saying, “There have been some injuries for a lot of teams, but I believe Australia, England, India will definitely make it to the semis. With Naseem Shah not being a part of the mix, Pakistan’s strength diminishes a bit. They know their game under these conditions, but I’d say it will be between Pakistan and South Africa as the fourth team.”

Spin legend Harbhajan Singh, also known for his charisma and colorful persona, provided valuable insights into the team's mindset and performance. He highlighted the team's unwavering hunger for victory, notably evident during the India Vs. Australia ODI series leading into the World Cup and emphasized how the team's depth and adaptability have become integral strengths.

Harbhajan Singh said, “I think going with Ashwin over Washington Sundar is a wise decision, because he’s got the experience, he is a match-winner having been a part of the 2011 World Cup winning team. He knows what it takes to reach the ultimate level and should definitely feature in India’s starting XI.”

Sambit Bal, the Editor in Chief of ESPNcricinfo, enriched the discussion with intriguing anecdotes and profound insights drawn from his interactions with cricketers spanning different eras. He expounded on how these interactions enabled him to draw compelling comparisons between players of yesteryears and the present, shedding light on both the distinctions and commonalities that define their cricketing journeys.

The event also provided an opportunity to connect with Akshaya Kolhe, Director - Revenue, ESPN India and South Asia, who shared his reflections on how the industry and technology have evolved over the past three decades of ESPNcricinfo's existence. He underscored the invaluable role played by fans in propelling the platform's evolution to cater to the ever-engaged sports enthusiasts. Akshaya added, “ESPNcricinfo’s commitment to go beyond the usual coverage is a testimony to our motto of serving our fans anywhere, anytime. The Road to World Cup event was a right step in developing a cohesive opportunity for us to align with Maruti Suzuki, as we presented an active, rich conversation platform for fans on the eve of this mega tournament.”

"Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents ESPNcricinfo Road To the World Cup" served as a unique gathering that united cricket enthusiasts, players, and corporate leaders for an evening filled with profound cricketing insights, unwavering passion, and eager anticipation for the forthcoming ODI World Cup.

ESPN IN INDIA

India is a key part of ESPN’s growth – in the Asia-Pacific region and globally – and its presence in the country is powered by the potent advent of ESPN’s leadership in digital sports. Serving the massive and vibrant sports fan community with entertaining, insightful, and high-quality products and content, across digital devices and television, is at the core of ESPN’s strategy in India and the subcontinent. With offices in Bangalore and Mumbai, it boasts a world-class team that includes technologists, developers, editors, journalists and more who make up ESPN’s largest technology and digital editorial teams outside the United States.

ESPNcricinfo, already the ultimate destination for authentic, unbiased cricket news, videos, analysis, statistics, and scores, continues serving Indian cricket fans as it has for over 30 years.