As the IPL mania in India kicks in with the grand event commencing in April, it is time for festivities and celebration of the fun-filled T20 cricket action. Indeed, cricket is religion in India. The cricket fever will spread in India for the next couple of months. An event of this scale will be a fantastic opportunity for any company. Needless to say, with the eCommerce startups in India fighting to win the great battle, Indian Premier League (IPL) can pose to be a lucrative bet for the Indian startups.
Race for Brand Value 
IPL is a great platform for any company to either carve out mindshare for its new brand or strengthen its existing successful brand position. Such events garner a nation’s attention for a certain period of time and are excellent platforms for brand promotion. Given a choice, any brand will be eager to get associated with it.
The big question is, who can afford to sponsor?
I am sure you will remember that the first sponsor of IPL was DLF because it started during the ‘real estate’ season. Of course, the season changed and the baton was passed on to an all-seasons brand Pepsi. With Pepsi pulling out of the IPL sponsorship, a big opportunity to partner with the biggest cricket show on earth opened up. As eCommerce gained centre-stage in India, all eyes were on it to fund the spectacle this year.
India’s eCommerce frenzy still continues with investors and generous private equity funds pumping huge money in the companies in the quest for the next unicorn. Huge money power and aggressive growth plans make eCommerce companies perfect prospects to sponsor IPL. Companies like Paytm and Oxigen are suitable candidates for replacing big companies like Pepsi at the high table of sponsorships. As long as India’s romance with cricket lasts and IPL has its relevance, established vintage names and startup newbies will continue to pay to get associated with it.
Missed Opportunity in 2016
Well, an opportunity lost this year as Chinese mobile phone maker Vivo has taken the IPL title sponsorship for two years. Let’s see who’ll be the big daddy in the coming years.
Future Trends
eCommerce companies have started showing considerable interest in the Indian Premier League. FreeCharge plans to launch new forms of payment during IPL, COO Govind Rajan said. "The youth in the country are passionate about cricket and more so IPL and we see tremendous synergies for FreeCharge and IPL in this association," he said. "The IPL is an opportunity to drive massive awareness."
Great Advertising Platform 
It is estimated that during IPL 9, advertisements spend may race to Rs 1,200 crore despite controversies that have mired the Indian Premier League. IPL surely is still the hot destination for advertisers. 
Exclusive broadcast rights holder Sony Pictures Network, has increased the number of presenting sponsors to three from two for the first time, which include telecom services provider Vodafone, eCommerce platform Amazon and first time advertiser Oppo. Finally, an eCommerce player in the scene!
The unprecedented levels of interest in IPL is turning to make it risk-free investment for advertisers, as both ratings and reach have been consistently growing year on year. Obviously, the demand is high with the increased viewership due to the high-definition feed. It will be a lucrative option for eCommerce companies as the IPL crowd avail the various shopping bonanza and offers. Well, it may result in a growth in overall revenue of the eCommerce companies which are now struggling with their losses..
IPL team in shopping cart of eCommerce giants 
With the decision announced to include two new teams in this season, top business houses and corporate biggies have been making continuous rounds to be the clear contenders. This is a great opportunity for the country's most talked about e-commerce giants such as Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and Paytm to pick up a franchise at a bargain in the lucrative cricket tournament.it is the quickest way to build a brand in India given its wide viewership. However, eCommerce companies are still watching the space before joining the bidding process. Not to be bowled by a googly from IPL.
Owning an IPL team is an opportunity that e-commerce companies in India would not want to miss out given the current scenario. Backed by funding, owning a team in IPL could be a major differentiator for eCommerce companies to beat the immense competition in the online retail space.
Who is going to hit the first six in IPL?