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

In a momentous collaboration with Maruti Suzuki Arena, ESPNcricinfo presented the exclusive event, "Maruti Suzuki Arena Presents ESPNcricinfo Road To the World Cup."

The closed-door gathering featured a discussion with cricketers, Ravi Shastri and Harbhajan Singh, alongside the ESPNcricinfo presenter and host for the evening, Raunak Kapoor, and ESPNcricinfo's Editor-in-Chief, Sambit Bal.

The event was attended by  Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer- Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India.

The event included conversations on 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.

The gathering took place amidst the  ambience of the JW Marriott, Aero City, New Delhi, on the evening of September 29, 2023.

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. 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 shared his insights from attending Formula 1 races in India. He emphasised the 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.

Shastri said, “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.”

Harbhajan Singh 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 emphasised how the team's depth and adaptability have become integral strengths.

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, from his interactions with cricketers spanning different eras 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.

Kolhe 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.”

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