Match Makers

(Note: All information is accurate at the time of print. Visit www.iplt20.com for updates.)

April 2, 2011. The ICC World Cup frenzy has reached a crescendo with India and Sri Lanka reaching the finals. The air, rife with comparisons between Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 2011 World Cup winning team and Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup winning team. The question on everyone's lips - "Will our boys bring the World Cup home after 28 years?" With a resounding YES, the boys in blue - the Indian team - took the proceedings to a tumultous close by winning against Sri Lanka with 10 runs and 6 wickets to spare. The moment was especially poignant for Sachin Tendulkar and his fans as the Little Master's long-standing dream of being part of a World Cup winning team was finally realised.

The noise has hardly died down, and the dust has hardly settled on the ICC World Cup, that Indian cricket fans are now gearing up for IPL Season 4. With 74 matches over 49 days, the fourth season of the Indian Premier League 2011 is expected to be a feast for cricket lovers. Sure, there's nothing quite like Test Cricket, but the IPL this year will be of interest even to the dyed-in-the-wool Test Cricket fan.

The aspect that will significantly alter predictions this is the overhauling of teams. Player auctions, retirements, forced retirements, induction of local talent and the addition of two new teams - are all going to create an upheaval of closely-held beliefs about the talent pool in the 10 teams.

THE CONSERVATIVES

Chennai SuperKings (Winners of IPL-3) and Mumbai Indians (Runners-Up of IPL-3) remained conservative in their team composition. Their focus was on player retention rather than acquisition. This, when CSK is missing Hayden, Badani, Kemp and Ntini from the last season. At the auctions, CSK lost Muthiah Muralitharan and Lakshmipathy Balaji but they've brought in talent such as Dwayne Bravo, Wriddhiman Saha and Yo Mahesh. Tim Southee, fresh from his 18 wicket haul at the ICC World Cup 2011, replaces Ben Hilfenhaus.

The Mumbai Indians will play this season without Sanath Jayasuriya. At the auctions, Zaheer Khan and Dwayne Bravo were acquired by other teams. But MI has brought in Andrew Symonds, Rohit Sharma, Tirumalasetti Suman, Moises Henriques and Munaf Patel.

REBOOT

The teams at the bottom of last year's points table - Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab - had an exodus of players. This may be the best opportunity for them to shed the baggage of the past and induce some vitality.

Kings XIPunjab's emphasis is on getting new players in, not necessarily from other teams, but local talent. The primary acquisition at the auctions was Gilchrist moving in as Captain along with the notable entry of Praveen Kumar, Dinesh Karthik, Ryan Harris and Abhishek Nayar.

Rajasthan Royals has consistently placed emphasis on local players while retaining some of its existing ones. The players brought in at the auction were PaulCollingwood, Rahul Dravid and Ross Taylor. The rest, a healthy mix of retained players and local ones.

STAR POWER

Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders are teams without their captains from the last season. Will the absence of Kumble and Ganguly work in their favour? Or will one of their star players step up and take on the mantle?

At the auctions, Royal Challengers lost out on Jacque Kallis, Rahul Dravid and Robin Uthappa. But the exodus has been replaced with frantic buying of the likes of AB de Villiers, Tillakaratne, Daniel Vettori, Charl Langeveldt, Mohammed Kaif and Zaheer Khan.

In an interesting twist, the exact strategy has been adopted by Kolkata Knight Riders. No Ajanta Mendis and Chris Gayle. At the auction, Ishant Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik and Brendon McCullum moved out. KKR has now brought in players like Brett Lee, Gambhir, Jacque Kallis, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Yusuf Pathan to fortify the side.

THE D-FACTOR

The Deccan Chargers reached the Semi-final of IPL 3 but lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore. This year, while Laxman and Symonds moved out, DC has gained Sangakkara, Gony, Duminy, and Ishant Sharma. But will the absence of Herschelle Gibbs, Chaminda Vaas, and as we go to print, possibly Kevin Pietersen, make a severe dent in their strategies?

The Delhi Daredevils, on par with Kolkata Knight Riders on the points table last year, seems to be on infusing some freshness in the form of new buys. Sehwag is back in the saddle as Captain after Gambhir and, with the able help of Aaron Finch, Morne Morkel, Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, is all set to lead a team that's hungry to win.

THE NEWBIES

Two spanking new teams and the heady promise of competition! In the absence of track records, expectations from the Indi Commandos Kochi and Sahara Pune Warriors are bound to be more realistic. Secondly, since they've not 'lost' any player to the auctioning, they stand to gain in some of the unlearning that other teams will have to do. Having said that, it would be interesting to see how players from other teams forge new loyalties to deliver the goods.

Between Indi Commandos Kochi and Sahara Pune Warriors, there seems to be a clear strategic difference in player selection. Indi Commandos Kochi are banking heavily on players from other teams - the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Brendon McCullum, Muthiah Muralitharan, Sreesanth, R.P. Singh and VVS Laxman. However, the Sahara Pune Warriors have given equal weightage to local players and those from other teams with the stars being Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra, Murali Karthik and Robin Uthappa.

At the end of the day, however, the winning of games will be determined not only by how integrated each of the teams will be in the face of competition, but also the talent on display. Some of the most legendary players will be out there rubbing shoulders with hot new local talent. Some very intense cricketing action is about to unfold in the the most cricket-crazy country in the world. As addictions go, it doesn't get better than this.

An edited version was published for a client newsletter designed by Global Adjustments. No part of this article may be reproduced without permission from the author and the publication.

Cupid Travels

Forget Paris. Skip Agra. Give Goa a miss. And Bali's oh so last season. For the weekend leading up to Valentine's Day, plan a special holiday with that special someone at one of these unforgettable short-haul Indian destinations. Or pick an absolutely stunning international holiday with minimal visa fuss. Any of these destinations beats the 'dinner-and-a-movie' combo, so no excuses!

Mumbai

If clubbing's your thing, head to Mumbai. It's a city that takes its nightlife (and PDA;-) seriously. Pubs in Mumbai are open long after the ones in Chennai and Bangalore have closed for the night. Hard Rock Cafe, Zenzi and Blue Frog are some of the most hip places you can visit as a couple. And Man-U fans have to, have to, have to visit the Manchester United Cafe Bar at Palladium, Phoenix Mills. Expect lots of music, towers of beer and a high-adrenaline atmosphere. 

Mandu, Madhya Pradesh

For a crash-course in old-fashioned romance, simply fly to Indore and head to Mandu. Rani Rupmati and Baz Bahadur's love story is the stuff of legends. There was music, there was poetry and history happened right here in the pavilions and palaces of Mandu. Beg, borrow or steal a translation of Ahmad-ul-Umri's 'The Lady of the Lotus – Rupmati, Queen of Mandu' and read Rupmati's love poems together.

Houseboat in Kerala

We admit - Allepey doesn't sound half as swish as Venice. But what better way to spend a romantic getaway than to cut travel time and max the holiday? Set adrift on a well-appointed houseboat. Simply loll on the deck together. Get an Ayurvedic massage. Succumb to the temptation to do the Titanic-stance at the prow. But please desist from singing the song - you'll be far exceeding the cheesiness quotient!

Haveli in Rajasthan

Recapture the era of the Maharajas and their decadent lifestyle by living out your fantasies as a royal couple. Splurge on a luxurious stay at any of the haveli-turned hotels in Rajasthan and treat the love of your life to some extensive pampering. Take in the grandeur of the forts and palaces. Head to the dunes for a romantic night under the clear desert sky. Just don't let the sand enter the tent!

Coorg, Karnataka

If you've always wanted to visit Tibet, but haven't, and if Dharamshala doesn't fit the scheme of things at the moment, head to Coorg. Stay at one of the many plantations that now host visitors. Take long walks. Stop and smell the flowers. Drink lots of locally brewed fruit wine. Then pop across to Bylakuppe for a day trip and have a quick dekko at Tibetan life. Yes, you read that right – Tibetan! Maybe even find out how to express your love in Tibetan.

Silent Valley

There are rules to visit and rules to stay at Silent Valley. And the constant presence of a guide and fellow travellers could prove a dampener to a city-slicker's idea of a good time out on Valentine's Day. But as a couple, if you share a world view that time amidst nature is time best spent, then head to Silent Valley - the rainforest bordering Tamizh Nadu and Kerala. Imagine staying in the midst of all that natural abundance, waking up to bird song, walking in reverence through lush foliage and if you're lucky, spotting the likes of the Lion-tailed Macaques, Malabar Giant Squirrel and the Great Indian Hornbill! 'Two for Joy' would perhaps be THE most romantic thing to say here.

Singapore

Singapore is a fabulous destination for first time international travellers and seasoned travellers alike. It has all the glam of an international city, yet it proudly flaunts its Asian-ness. Must-dos as a couple include the night Safari (where the atmosphere is positively teeming with nocturnal animals), and feeding times and shows at the Singapore Zoo and the Jurong Bird Park. Oh, and they do have some rocking night clubs. Chinese New Year is being ushered in through February with festive red lanterns, parades, dance, music and food stalls, especially in Chinatown! And - hold your breath - Iron Maiden is also performing here in February!

Sri Lanka

This one's for the value-for-money types. A romantic all-in-one international destination. A short direct flight away. And stunning value-for-money. Stroll through the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, steep yourself in Kandy's culture, sun yourself on the beaches of Bentota or cozy up in a Geoffrey Bawa-designed suite at Lunuganga. Or stay in Colombo at a pretty boutique hotel and make day trips. At this currency conversion rate, it can't get better than this!

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

For an exotic international holiday bustling with things to do, head to Kuala Lumpur and onward to Kota Kinabalu. Prepare to be awed by coral reefs and exotic tropical fish as you snorkel or scuba dive in the waters of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Or walk hand-in-hand on the pristine sands of Tanjung Aru Beach. Explore the trails in the rainforest of Gaya Island. Else, climb the formidable Mount Kinabalu. What's a measly bouquet of insipid roses when you can feast your eyes on over 800 species of orchid spread over the Kinabalu National Park?

The Maldives

It takes a while to reach Male', as a holiday it doesn't come cheap but the views - oh the views - are so worth it! Spectacular azure waters form the perfect backdrop to take your relationship up to the next level. Do take your swim-wear and sun protection along. There's going to be lots of sun, sand and lounging by the pool.

Rishikesh

If you'd rather give this Valentine's Day a platonic flavour with a heady rush, head to Delhi by air and onward to Rishikesh by road. Adventure sport season is on and there are packages for all skill levels. Go river rafting. Trek in Uttarakhand. Rappel down sheer cliffs. Camp on the banks of the Ganges. At the end of the day, sharing an innocent cup of tea in those environs could unlock some not-so-innocent feelings.

An edited version appeared in TAXI's February 2011 Issue

AD-Zapped - Top Television Commercials of 2010

Abhishek Bachchan continues to give us ideas, and we've finally discovered Yuvraj Singh's secret of a revitalising performance. Closer home in Chennai, the Usman Road brigade (read sarees-jewellery), no less frenzied, upped the ad frequencies to a crescendo for Diwali. The maximum ad clutter was contributed by mobile networks and FMCGs, and therein lies the challenge of creating distinctive out-of-the box advertising.

Here are the top 10 ads in order of best brand association, distinctiveness and execution.

1. Cadbury Dairy Milk– Shubh Aarambh

While we love the ad at the bus stop, we give the 'Jeans' one the top slot for its detailing and treatment.

Uncle encourages his self-conscious traditional wife to have an auspicious piece of 'meetha' (read chocolate) before she steps out of the house wearing jeans for the first time. We love the cramped middle-class apartment with pickles on the table. We love the invisible mother-in-law. Most of all, we love how perfectly cast Neena Kulkarni was, as the Aunty with plaited hair, nose-stud, mangalsutra, green bangles and bindi. Her expressions – priceless!

Agency: Ogilvy & Mather

Directed by Vinil Mathew of Footcandles Films

2. Coca Cola - Warli

A young boy waits at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere for a ride back home to Delhi for Diwali. He opens a Coke bottle, and wishes himself 'Happy Diwali'. An animated firecracker bursts forth. An old Geeta Dutt song gets trendy. Animated tribal figures do a festive dance on the bottle. The figures spill out and draw the boy's attention to a mini-bus that he had assumed had broken down. The driver gets into the bus, switches on kitschy Diwali-esque serial lights and yells, 'Dilli.' The bus leaves with the elated boy on it. We totally dig the song and the use of traditional Warli art in contemporary animation.

Agency : McCann Erickson

Directed by Dibakar Banerjee of Freshwater Films

3. Cadbury Celebrations – Chintu and the doorbell

Another Diwali ad, this time, to atone for social sins of the past. Mr. Joshi opens his door to find Chintu from Flat No. 15, who, as a pesky kid, used to ring his doorbell and run away. Now, when kids do the same to grown-up Chintu, he realises how annoying he must have been. He extends a peace offering – a box of chocolates. Mr. Joshi asks suspiciously if he was the kid who once gave him a chocolate box filled with firecrackers. Chintu sheepishly says that this time, it's 'meetha'. When he hugs Mr. Joshi and wishes him Happy Diwali, a smile lights up Mr. Joshi's face.

Sumeet Raghavan is very 'Chintu' and Vinod Nagpal of 'Hum Log' fame is perfect as the harassed Mr. Joshi.

Agency: Contract

Directed by Vinil Mathew for Footcandles Films

4. Limca Summer - Neighbour

A breezy song plays as Hrishitaa Bhatt's cute neighbour sips Limca to magically convert everything she touches to a splash. The pranks escalate until she is completely drenched and he runs out of Limca. Now it's her turn to walk across to his place, sip Limca and get even by turning his bike into one big splash. There's mischief, there's romance and Caralisa Monteiro's voice playing in your head long after the ad is over.

Agency: Ogilvy & Mather

Directed by Vinil Mathew for Footcandles Films

5. Vodafone Delights

Promoting Vodafone's exclusive discounts and deals for its subscribers, are two school girls. One makes the other feel special by doing little things like giving her more chocolates than others, giving her a ride home on her bicycle and reserving a seat for her at a school gathering. The girls are natural performers and along with the song and the lyrics, bring the commercial alive. This B&W series has a nostalgic quality, perhaps to remind us of that one friend in school (Hint: like Vodafone) who made us feel special.

Agency : Ogilvy & Mather

Directed by Prakash Varma for Nirvana Films

6. Mirinda -Asin and Speed SangarThis one will score high on recall value in Chennai and will warm the cockles of every autorickshaw passenger's heart. Speed Sangar, an arrogant auto driver refuses to return change that's due to Asin. The polite Asin takes a sip of Mirinda and turns into galatta-girl. She asks Sangar to start the auto and takes him on a wild goose chase all around Chennai, finally returning to the place they set out from. When he asks for a thousand bucks, she says, 'I got in here, and I got out here –you want to get paid?' Atta girl, Asin!

Agency: JWT

Directed by Rajesh Krishnan for Soda Films

7. Asian Paints – Brothers

A series of ads where big brother whines about how he no longer has a role to play in little brother's life. He laments that Chotu has become quite the design expert, decorating his house stylishly. Chotu denies this, and says that it's really easy to simply log on to the Asian Paints website to select colours. But Bhaiyya goes on, hurt that his little brother has become independent and his advice is not sought for anything. This insight into Indian families where elders' advice is sought for every little decision, forms a humorous backdrop for conveying the website's features.

Agency : Ogilvy & Mather

Directed by Prasoon Pandey for Corcoise Films

8. Idea - Language No Bar

Abhishek Bachchan plays as a speech-impaired tea vendor who has an 'Idea' to solve the problem of four tea-stall regulars transferred to places where they can't speak the local language. Faced with a mob of language-proud Maharashtrians at a railway station, the Hariyanvi calls his Marathi friend and learns to ask for the toilet in Marathi. The Bengali goes to Kerala and manages to get a room on rent on the basis of a thick Malayali accent. The Maharashtrian sings in Bengali to get a seat on a tram in Kolkata. The Malayali learns the right way to say “Ram Ram Tau” in Haryanvi. And we learn how useful Bluetooth (and friends, and Abhishek Bachchan, and Idea Cellular) can be in a multi-cultural society like ours.

Agency: Lowe Lintas

Directed by Amit Sharma for Chrome Pictures

9. Airtel – 3G

If there's something that young lovers wish would never occur, it's separation. And if there's anything that video call receivers wish would never occur, it's buffering. To showcase the quality of video calls via Internet on 3G, Airtel uses an endless loop of lovers' meeting and parting over and over again.

The other ad - the 3G Live Entertainment one - has A.R. Rahman's uber-cool composition picturised on a street performer following a young woman everywhere. She walks away, but her eyes are still riveted by his moves, he finally accompanies her. The camera pans out to show different people on the street accompanied by performers.

Agency: JWT

Directed by Philippe Andre for Independent Films Ltd

10. Vodafone BlackBerry boys

Five stuffy-suited postpaid types dance in sync, calling themselves the BlackBerry Boys, when suddenly, some very obvious non-corporate pre-paid types dance into the frame singing about cool additional features in the BlackBerry. The ad ends with the 'suits' lost in a crowd of 'non-suits'. As creatives go, this ad isn't up there with the greats. But it efficiently redefines BlackBerry as a brand not only for male corporate executives but for everybody.

Agency: Ogilvy & Mather

Directed by Prakash Varma for Nirvana Films

And for sheer advertising effectiveness, we would like to nominate the Chennai Super Kings' 2010 Whistle Podu ad to this list! All that whistling worked, eh? 

An edited version appeared in TAXI's January 2011 Issue