The “Sporting Nation—Building a Legacy” report emphasized a significant increase in digital advertising revenues, comprising 40% of total ad spending, driven by free access to IPL and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup matches on OTT platforms.

In 2023, India witnessed a remarkable surge in sports sponsorships, reaching a staggering Rs 15,000 crore, reflecting a notable increase of 10.95% compared to the previous year’s Rs 14,209 crore. This information stems from a report issued by GroupM ESP, the entertainment, esports, and sports division of GroupM India.

The substantial rise in expenditure encompassed various elements such as ground sponsorships, team sponsorships, franchise fees, athlete endorsements, and media spending. Notably, cricket remained the dominant force in this arena, capturing Rs 13,701 crore, which accounted for a significant 87% of the total spending and exhibited a robust 13% year-on-year growth.

The report titled “Sporting Nation—Building a Legacy” highlighted a pivotal shift towards digital advertising revenues, which constituted 40% of the overall ad spending. This surge was largely fuelled by the accessibility of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup matches on Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms without any paywalls, in contrast to previous seasons.

The decision made by the IPL in April 2023 to bifurcate the rights into digital and TV packages for the 2023-27 cycle, involving media giants Viacom18 and Star Sports, potentially contributed to a stagnant growth amid a slowdown in advertising spending. However, the ICC Men’s World Cup injected a year-end boost to the overall spending.

Despite a transition from TV to digital platforms, the sports ad spending in 2023 remained relatively steady, witnessing less than a 1% growth compared to 2022.

Specifically, in 2023, TV ad spends for IPL experienced a decline of 17%, whereas digital platforms witnessed robust growth of over 25%. Conversely, during the World Cup, both TV and digital advertising surged by over 40% compared to the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The IPL, recognized as a premier T20 cricket tournament, saw its valuation soar to $10.7 billion, marking a significant 28% increase from 2022, and reflecting a remarkable 433% rise in brand value since its inception in 2008.

Additionally, emerging sports observed a marginal decline of 1% in 2023, collectively accounting for 13% of the total industry expenditure, amounting to Rs 2065 crore or $249 million. Most of the business was dominated by franchise cricket and Team India.

Overall, sports sponsorship in India displayed an impressive growth trajectory in 2023, signifying the increasing influence and significance of the industry. Brands across the nation substantially augmented their investments, fostering valuable consumer connections through partnerships with sporting events, teams, and related properties.

The total sponsorship revenue in 2023 surged to a robust Rs7,345 crore, marking a notable 24% increase from the previous year’s Rs5,907 crore ($748 million). Ground sponsorship emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for 42% of the total spending with Rs 3,117 crore, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year.

However, significant growth was also evident in team sponsorships (a 22% increase to Rs1,600 crore) and franchise fees (a staggering 60% surge to Rs 2,628 crore), with the latter being the biggest contributor to the absolute increase in sponsorship spending in 2023.

The Ministry of Electronics & IT on Monday summoned executives from Wikipedia to explain how fake information on Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh’s page linking him to the separatist Khalistani movement was published on the website. A high-level panel is likely to quiz the executives of the crowdsourced digital encyclopaedia on precautionary checks and may even issue a show cause notice.

The Ministry of Electronics and Technology said that “no intermediary operating in India can permit this type of misinformation” after cricketer Arshdeep Singh’s Wikipedia page was edited by an unregistered user, linking him to the separatist Khalistani movement. “No intermediary operating in India can permit this type of misinformation and deliberate efforts to incitement and user harm — violates our govt’s expectation of Safe & Trusted Internet,” tweeted Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MoS Electronics and Technology.

Arshdeep became the target of vicious online trolling after he dropped a crucial catch in the death overs resulting in the defeat of his side against Pakistan in the Asia Cup game on Sunday.

The word “India” was replaced with “Khalistan” on Singh’s Wikipedia page by an anonymous user even as another editor undid changes.

Pictures were shared on social media, stating that “he was named in Khalistan squad for the 2018 under-19 World Cup.

”The edit history of Arshdeep’s Wikipedia page revealed that the user who made those changes was unregistered and was using the internet protocol (IP) address 39.41.171.125.

The user also edited his name to “Major Arshdeep Singh Langra” and a minute later, to “Major Arshdeep Singh Bajwa”. Many random changes were done to Singh’s game statistics.

The address allocation records showed that the particular address was allocated to the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

Following Sunday’s match, Arshdeep Singh became the top trend on social media after he dropped a sitter in the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2022 at a very crucial juncture of the match.

But he redeemed himself in the final over. He came to deliver the final over and took the wicket of Asif Ali to keep Team India’s hopes alive, with two runs needed in two deliveries.

However, he was brutely trolled by angry fans while many blamed him for the loss and even went on to abuse him and his family on various social media platforms.

But the Indian cricket fraternity came in support of the young pacer who had dropped a crucial catch in the 18th over of the match.

Indian batter Virat Kohli had some strong words in his support and said “Even when I played my first game against Pakistan in Champions Trophy, I played a bad shot and got out. Anyone can make mistakes under pressure. It is natural to feel bad. The team environment is great right now, credit for this goes to management and the captain. So one must accept his mistake, address it and look forward to being in that pressure situation once again,” said Kohli in a post-match press conference on Sunday.

He was backed by the former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who stated that no one drops catches purposely and the young seamer should not be criticized.

“Stop criticising young @arshdeepsinghh. No one drops a catch purposely..we are proud of our boys .. Pakistan played better.. shame on such people who r putting our own guys down by saying cheap things on this platform bout Arsh and the team.. Arsh is GOLD,” Harbhajan tweeted.

Chasing a target of 182, Pakistan got off to a shaky start after skipper Babar Azam (14) was dismissed in the fourth over of the innings by Ravi Bishnoi. Fakhar Zaman too failed to deliver big innings as he was sent back to the pavilion after scoring 15 by Yuzvendra Chahal.

Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz then stitched a vital partnership, gathering 84 runs for the third wicket. Both Rizwan and Nawaz (41) were dispatched in quick sequence by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya, respectively. With Pakistan needing 26 off the last two overs, senior pacer Bhuvneshwar conceded 19 runs in the penultimate over as India lost the match by five wickets.

On this day in 1882, England suffered their first loss to Australia at their own backyard by eight runs, which served as the birth of the prestigious “The Ashes” series that is contested between both the sides till this day.

In August 1882, Australia toured England for a Test match. Batting first, Australia were bundled out for just 63 runs in their first innings and the English side made a dominant start to the Test. Only Jack Blackham (17), Billy Murdoch (13) could hit scores above ten and other batters crumbled to heaps due to the powerful spells of Ted Peate (4/31) and Dick Barlow (5/19).

In reply, England could not muster a lot either as medium pacer Frederick Spofforth’s 7/46 helped visitors skittle out England for just 101. Only George Ulyett (26) and Maurice Read (19*) could play some half-decent knocks. However, England had a slender 38-run lead over Australia, which gave them some comfort.

Miseries continued for the batters in the second innings of Australia. Hugh Massie (55) and captain Murdoch (29) played some solid knocks, but still could not save their side from another sub-par score. Australia did not have a lot of advantage in their hands as the lead was merely 85-runs long. Ted Peate once again impressed for England with 4/40.

On the second day of the match, despite WG Grace’s 32, England failed to win the Test. When England’s Ted Peate, side’s last batter came to the crease, England needed 10 runs to win. He could score only two before getting dismissed. England was all out for 77 and had lost a Test on their home soil. Frederick Spofforth continued his monster run in the second innings, taking 7/44.

Following the match, the criticism from the Press was immense. The Sporting Times, a weekly English newspaper back then, wrote the iconic words that birthed “The Ashes” and intensified the rivalry between England and Australia.

“In Affectionate Remembrance OF ENGLISH CRICKET, WHICH DIED AT THE OVAL ON 29th AUGUST, 1882, Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. R. I. P. N.B.–The body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia,” this was the mock obituary of English cricket that triggered a rivalry that would change the sport forever.

With this, Cricket got a gem it could cherish and its first major rivalry before India versus Pakistan rivalry became a thing too. An urn, named as “The Ashes urn” became the symbol of this rivalry and an object worth fighting for on the cricket field. It is believed to contain the ashes of a burnt cricket bail. The first-ever Ashes series was played that year in Australia in December. England won the series 2-1 and brought back “The Ashes” to England. Since then, 72 editions of this series have taken place, mostly having five Test matches.

Out of this, Australia has won 34 series while England is not too far behind with 32 series wins. Six series have ended in a draw. Australian great Don Bradman has the most number of runs in Ashes history, with 5,028 runs. Late Aussie spin great Shane Warne has the most Ashes wickets, with 195 to his name.

The Commonwealth Games 2022 is going very well for India as gold, silver and bronze medals are raining on the country’s top athletes. The total medal tally has reached 61 and India stands at the fourth position in the total medal tally amongst all countries. India has so far bagged 22 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 23 bronze medals in the Games. This has been one of the best performances of the country ever in the games.

Latest Medals: Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu clinched India’s first gold medal in Badminton at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 and the first women’s singles CWG gold medal of her career by defeating Canada’s Michelle Li in the final.

The men’s doubles duo of Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won India its third successive badminton gold of the day by defeating England’s Sean Vendy and Ben Lane in the final.

Indian mixed doubles duo of Achanta Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula bagged the gold medal in the mixed doubles final at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

Indian star boxer and world champion Nikhat Zareen captured the country’s third consecutive boxing gold medal of the day by defeating Carly MC Naul of Northern Ireland in the final of women’s 50kg (Light Flyweight).

Indian boxer Sagar Ahlawat captured the silver medal in the final of the Men’s Over 92kg category at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday. Indian women’s cricket team scripted history as they clinched their maiden silver medal in the Edgbaston Stadium at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

Indian women’s doubles duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand clinched the bronze medal in the women’s doubles . The Indian duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand registered a 2-0 win over Australia’s Wendy Hsuan-Yu Chen and Gronya Somerville 21-15, 21-18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Indian wrestler Pooja Gehlot for winning a bronze medal in the women’s 50 kg category at Commonwealth Games and said that her life journey motivates all.

On Saturday evening, Gehlot got emotional post winning a bronze medal for the country and said to ANI, “I apologise to my compatriots. I wished that the National Anthem be played here (in Birmingham)… But I will learn from my mistakes, and work on them.” Reacting to this development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a tweet today, wrote, “Pooja, your medal calls for celebrations, not an apology. Your life journey motivates us, your success gladdens us. You are destined for great things ahead…keep shining!”

India’s wrestling contingent ended their 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games campaign with all twelve wrestlers earning medals, as Pooja Gehlot, Pooja Sihag and Deepak Nehra confirmed their bronze medals.

With six gold, one silver and five bronze, wrestling’s CWG 2022 haul is equitable to the twelve earned in the 2018 Gold Coast games (five gold, three silver and four bronze).

Indian wrestler Pooja Gehlot won bronze in women’s 50 kg at Commonwealth Games. She defeated Christine Lemofack Letchidjio of Scotland at the Coventry Arena Wrestling Mat B on Saturday. Pooja Gehlot won the bronze medal match 12-2 and won on the basis of technical superiority. The match lasted three minutes and forty-nine seconds. The Indian grappler took a 10-2 lead in the first period and the pressure was on her opponent.

Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, once again scripted history by clinching a historic silver at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

The ‘Golden Boy’ of India, recorded a distance of 88.13m in his fourth attempt in the men’s javelin throw final and secured the second position, to settle with silver. After registering a new achievement, Neeraj said, “The competition was tough, competitors were throwing on good average, it became challenging. I learned a lot today. The hunger for gold will continue. But I have to believe we cannot get gold each time. I will do what I can, focus and concentrate on my training.”

“While conditions were not good and the wind speed was too high, I was confident I would perform well. I am satisfied with the result, I am happy I was able to win a medal for my country,” he had added.Joyous celebrations erupted in the country after Neeraj made India proud at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Neeraj for winning the silver medal for the country.Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote,

“A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes! Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships. This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours.”Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also expressed happiness and told ANI, “Neeraj Chopra has made history by winning silver in the WorldAthleticsChampionships. This is the first time India has won a silver in this championship. Anju Bobby George won the bronze medal in 2003. I congratulate him. He has made Haryana proud.”

“I would also like to share my greetings to Neeraj’s family in Panipat and congratulate them on their son’s success. I just pray that he would ahead and keep on making the country proud in the field of sports,” he added. Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wrote, “Neeraj Chopra continues his winning streak! Wins in Men’s javelin throw at @WCHoregon22 with his best throw of 88.13m, becoming the 1st Indian male and 2nd Indian to win a medal at the #WorldChampionships!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lavished praise on Neeraj Chopra after he clinched the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw final at the prestigious World Athletics Championships in Eugene.Neeraj recorded a distance of 88.13m in his fourth attempt in the men’s javelin throw final and secured the second position. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes! Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships. This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours.”“In today’s #WorldAthleticsChampionships Neeraj Chopra Ji created history by winning silver medal in Javelin throw event,” tweeted UP CM Yogi Adiyanath.