‘My dearest memory of watching a World Cup on TV is of the 2011 World Cup that India won’
We bring you an interview series with marketing leaders across the spectrum as they discuss their fondest memories of watching Cricket World Cups on TV & their expectations from the T20 World Cup
Watching Cricket World Cups on TV is a memory few Indians may have ever missed. But Rajiv Dubey: Senior General Manager – Head of Media, Dabur isn’t one of them. Here he is at his candid best as he shares his favourite Cricket World Cup memories ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup that starts on 16th October.
Tell us some of your earliest memories of watching Cricket World Cups on TV.
My first memory of watching Cricket World Cup is from the 1983 World Cup. The first match we saw live on TV was the semi-final India played against England. Thereafter the final against West Indies that we won. The next was the 1987 World Cup in which we lost in the semi-finals. Then in 1992 we beat Pakistan in the first match but Pakistan went on to win the World Cup. Most of these World Cups I fondly remember and then of course the dear one was the 2011 World Cup which we won again.
Where were you during the icon 2011 Cricket World Cup Final?
Those days TVs were not as big so we had put up a massive screen and had got a projector from somebody’s office and that’s where we used to get together for most matches during the 2011 World Cup. It’s a very good memory for us I think it was 2nd April and we just celebrated the win the whole night.
Have you followed any superstitions while watching Cricket World Cups on TV among friends and family?
Yes! The superstition has always been about people sitting in certain places. I remember while watching the 2011 final against Sri Lanka there was a guy that was completely unlucky for us. Till he was in the room, Sri Lanka wouldn’t lose a wicket and when he’d leave they would lose a wicket. So the guy spent most of his time outside of the room.
The T20 World Cup starts on 16th October. What are your thoughts about the clash against rivals Pakistan and which players do you think are key for India’s road to the cup?
So, India-Pakistan match we will win, undoubtedly. In terms of player in focus, it’s Jasprit Bumrah for me. Australia has fast bowling pitches and we have someone in Bumrah that can bowl well on those pitches. We’d also need to score big runs and we’ve got a lot of depth in the team for that so I’m hoping we can win the World Cup.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins on 16th October live and exclusive only on the Star Sports Network with the much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan returning on 23rd October. Last year’s T20 World Cup delivered a cumulative reach of 400+ Million viewers on television while the India v Pakistan clash was the highest rated match in 6 years with a TVR of 15.8. (Source: BARC)
