Author: Boria Majumdar

In the second part of the insightful interview with RevSportz, Sanjog Gupta takes a deep dive to share his views on how IPL as a brand is now unrivalled, even bigger than the cricket World Cup. He also gives his take on future innovations. Is the IPL now so far ahead of even the World Cup that it has become unrivalled in the market space? This is a much longer conversation. I think IPL is a truly unique brand, which as you said for various reasons stands almost in its own ecosystem in its own world. I don’t think any…

Sanjog Gupta, the current Chief Executive Officer of JioStar, has delved deeper into the regionalisation and customisation of sports broadcast. In the first part of this exclusive chat with RevSportz, he shares his thoughts on a range of topics, including the growth of the IPL brand, and how the brand has married broadcasting with local languages and culture to provide the viewers a unique experience. When I see the IPL brand, and when I see the data, they are staggering numbers. What stands out is that there is a continuous increase, the country doesn’t seem to have enough of this…

The asking rate was touching 12 in a low-scoring game and almost every Dhoni fan was praying for Thala. For the sake of the tournament, he needed to get the job done. The aura and the cult were yet again to be questioned if he failed. CSK, needless to say, needed it badly. Yes, Rishabh Pant missed a trick by not bowling Bishnoi. He was the best bowler on view but did not finish his quota. But at one level, this match was not about Pant or Bishnoi. It was all about Dhoni. There were 22 players playing out there,…

A photograph speaks a 1000 words. In Debasis Sen’s case, they have spoken more than a few thousand words, and still counting, when it comes to the Indian Super League (ISL). One of the most hardworking individuals in the business, Debasis’s picture of Dippendu Biswas and his mother has gone viral not simply in the football world, but also within Indian sport at large. The photograph stands for everything that is good about sport. Humility, simplicity and poise. With experience of more than two decades, this photograph by Debasis was for me the picture of the ISL. Today, while we…

Jamie Maclaren, one of the most successful strikers in the history of Australia’s A-League and the star of last night, said it well, “I have played in the World Cup against Argentina and Messi. I have also played for several leading clubs, but when it comes to fan passion, Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) will rank right at the top of the pile.” This was evident yesterday when Mohun Bagan played Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) final. The match was clashing with a double-header day in the IPL, and there was apprehension all round if fans would…

From morning, I have received approximately 150 messages asking for tickets. Not for IPL tickets, but for the ISL Cup final between Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) and Bengaluru FC. Tickets are all sold out and fans are desperate for that elusive pass to go and watch their favourite team play. For the record, India is ranked 126th in the FIFA rankings and our national team is nothing to write home about. Yet when it comes to club football, the passion is intense. Thousands of Mohun Bagan fans will queue up even when they know that tickets aren’t there. The…

Today, Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) will lock horns with Bengaluru FC (BFC) at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata in the ISL 2024-25 final. Most eyes will be on the home side as the Mariners have a chance to make it a double this season. Ahead of the clash, BFC goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, had an exclusive chat with RevSportz’s editor-in-chief, Boria Majumdar. In this freewheeling conversation, Gurpreet talked about the preparation, Sunil Chhetri, the importance of fans, his thoughts on Mohun Bagan and much more. Another ISL final for you. Thoughts? Thank you so much for having me.…

The 40-plus debate has been in the news of late. Though he has once again taken over the reins at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni is no longer at his best. That age is catching up with him has been the refrain. That he isn’t the same is indeed true. He is not the same batter as he was, and is the match-winner he was once. Having said that, he is still one of the best, if not the best, wicket-keepers in the IPL. And that’s what brings the age issue into focus. Is it age that is catching…

Chennai Super Kings fans expected a miracle with MS Dhoni back as leader. What they got was the exact opposite – the worst batting effort at home which has raised multiple questions about the team and its approach. Let’s face it… No captain can do much with this team. You don’t have a single player except Shivam Dube who can perhaps hit the ball. You have openers who aren’t equipped to play the modern version of T20 cricket and then you have many who are past their prime. It just doesn’t happen like this and no Midas touch can do…

The season didn’t start well for Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), as a result of a controversial disqualification from Asian competition. But domestically, they have been on a different level, winning the ISL League Shield with a record points tally and going from behind in a tense and titanic ISL Cup semi-final against Jamshedpur FC. Subhasish Bose has led from the front all campaign, and he talks to RevSportz’s editor-in-chief, Boria Majumdar, about this magnificent season and the final step that lies ahead. Boria: First, the League Shield and now the ISL final, which will turn out to be a…