Nothing connects common Indians more than cricket. When it’s Indian Premier League connection becomes bigger. This IPL season almost every 10th Indian was connected on Facebook.
The social media site in a post has confirmed that 12 crore Indians were engaged in IPL conversation on Facebook. The number of IPL conversations on Facebook this season is reported to be at 35 crore – almost 27% of country’s total population. Team India captain Virat Kohli was the favourite subject to talk about, among the teams Mumbai Indians was the biggest talking point for the FB community.
Teams used various promotional videos as marketing tools throughout the 47-day tournament, reports Brand Equity, attributing details to a Facebook blogpost. Additionally, the league shared images of key match moments as they happened and special off-the-field moments. Interestingly, Mumbai Indians went live as the team returned to the hotel to celebrate their victory, foreshadowed by their popular music video highlighting the team’s dancing prowess.
Cake was the common theme for the IPL teams this season. Teams shared their celebrations with cake using FB live, which allowed fans to participate in this fun tradition with their favourite players.
The blog by Asha Thacker on media.fb.com is titled IPL 10 Brings Millions Together on Facebook. It reveals, FB live video of Mumbai Indians celebration at hotel after their mid-night title triumph has recorded almost 54 lakh views.
The blog, reproduced here, can be visited here.
Over the course of the tournament, 120 million people joined the IPL conversation on Facebook and recorded 350 million interactions related to the season on the platform. More people joined the conversation this season than any IPL Facebook has measured.
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The blog has shared in-depth details of FB engagements by the league, teams, players and media.
INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE
Throughout the 47-day tournament, the Indian Premier League posted video of team warm-ups before each match and closed the tournament on Facebook by sharing video of the championship trophy presentation. Additionally, the league shared images of key match moments as they happened and special off-the-field moments, such as Shah Rukh Khan and AbRam at the Kolkata Knight Riders‘ opening match.
TEAMS
The IPL Champion Mumbai Indians went live as the team returned to the hotel to celebrate their victory, foreshadowed by their popular music video highlighting the team’s dancing prowess.
If there was one theme on Facebook for teams this season, it was cake. Teams including the Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad shared their cake cutting celebrations using Facebook Live and videos during the season, allowing fans to participate in this fun tradition with their favourite players.
Throughout the IPL season, teams shared unique moments with fans, giving them unprecedented access to their favourite players and owners. The 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad brought fans along to training sessions and team meetings. The team also went live for exercise session in the pool. The Delhi Daredevils shared pre- and post-match moments. This included a live on pitch interview with Man of the Match Corey Anderson.
Kings XI Punjab showcased its team’s playful side multiple times during the season; including kicking off a season-long prank war with this video featuring Marcus Stoinis and an unsuspecting Manan Vohra. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders shared the preparation strategies for the IPL playoffs.
PLAYERS AND OWNERS
During the IPL season, players used Facebook to directly connect with their fans in personal, authentic ways. For example, Ajinkya Rahane showcased the dancing skills of his teammates MS Dhoni and Ben Stokes. In addition, Shikhar Dhawan surprised his fans with a Facebook Live Q&A and Virat Kolhi wished Sachin Tendulkar Happy Birthday with a “few” of his closest friends.
Afghanistan player Rashid Khan also shared his feelings after making history during his first IPL match.
Yuvraj Singh shared a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into a commercial shoot and poked fun at his good friend and teammate Ashish Nehra.
MEDIA
News and sports publishers, broadcasters, and personalities, including Aaj Tak, ABP News, Crictracker, Firstpost, Hotstar, Sportskeeda, Sky Sports and The Quint, took to Facebook Live throughout the event to provide exclusive match commentary and analysis, as well as engage and entertain fans during the IPL.
ESPN Cricinfo broadcast its show ESPN Matchday Live on Facebook, delivering daily previews followed by Facebook fan Q&As every innings break.
News publishers from across the country joined the T20 carnival.
BEYOND THE PITCH
The IPL action didn’t end on the pitch, as commentators, legends, team owners and other public figures shared their favourite moments on Facebook.
· Mumbai Indians Icon and Legend Sachin Tendulkar spots “the real” Malinga in Rajkot
· Virender Sehwag shares a lighthearted moment from the IPL opening ceremony
· Commentator Matthew Hayden discusses the atmosphere of the IPL Finals
· Preity Zinta on the bus with her Kings XI Punjab team following a well earned victory
· Gujarat Lions owner Keshav Bansal released a video series entitled #ChaiWithKeshav
