National Poker Series India, India’s biggest Poker series, successfully concluded with Night of Glory, a prestigious celebration honouring the nation’s finest Poker talent and reinforcing Poker’s position as a mind sport. The National Poker Series India (NPS) 2025 hosted on PokerBaazi, has set a new benchmark, with over six lakh (600,000+) entries and only 573 came in the podium position winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, making it the most competitive edition to date.

Spanning 29 days from 23rd February to 24th March, the series culminated in a grand finale, elevated by the presence of Cricketing icon Shikhar Dhawan, who felicitated the winners and added to the grandeur of the occasion. A total prize pool of more than INR 108 Crore was rewarded in the fifth season of National Poker Series India 2025.

Shikhar Dhawan, known for his aggressive batting and champion mindset, drew parallels between Poker and Cricket, emphasizing the importance of skill, strategy, and mental resilience. His presence at the event reinforced Poker’s growing status as a mind sport in India. Poker, officially recognised by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) a mind sport, has cemented its status alongside intellectual disciplines like chess and e- sports. Platforms like National Poker Series India have played an integral role to pave the way for Poker to grow with standardized rules, global competitions, and professional opportunities, signalling a transformative era for the sport.

After weeks of high-stakes competition, Bhanu Prakash KC (Karnataka) emerged as the winner of both the India Leaderboard and Series Leaderboard, securing his place as the nation’s top Poker talent. The prestigious Main Event saw Delhi’s Bhavye Mittal clinch the gold medal and a prize of INR 94.26 lakh, while Gujarat’s Dhruvin Kothari and Maharashtra’s Pratik Manjrekar took home silver (INR 82.11 lakh) and bronze (INR 60.64 lakh), respectively.

The action now shifts to the National Poker Champion Showdown, where for the first time in the series’ history, the top 12 players will compete in a high-stakes final. These players, all state toppers from National Poker Series India 2025, will represent their respective states in Goa this month. Adding to the excitement, the winner of the National Poker Champion showdown will also unlock an exclusive INR 1 crore freeroll for players from his state, raising the stakes for future editions. National Poker Champion showdown is scheduled to take place from 13th to 17th April and will be broadcasted on a popular OTT.  

Commenting on the success of NPS 2025, Navkiran Singh, Founder & CEO Baazi Games, said, “National Poker Series India 2025 has set new benchmarks, showcasing the depth of talent and competitive spirit in Indian Poker. With the introduction of the National Poker Champion Showdown, this edition has been truly historic. The Night of Glory was a grand tribute to our winners, inspiring countless aspiring players across the country. As Poker continues to gain recognition as a mind sport, we remain committed to fostering a thriving community and taking Indian Poker to new heights.”

The Night of Glory was an unforgettable celebration, featuring electrifying performances by renowned stand-up comedian Gaurav Kapoor, Jazz-Rock band Submarine in Space and DJ Sukhbir adding to the thrill of the momentous occasion. National Poker Series India 2025 has once again reinforced its position as India’s preferred Poker destination, creating a competitive platform that continues to redefine the sport for a new generation of Poker enthusiasts.

As cricket fever grips the nation, millions of Indian cricket fans are not just watching the game – they’re engaging with it like never before. Glance, the world’s leading smart lock screen platform, unveiled the report ‘Decoding Indian Cricket Fans: Consumer Insights and Seasonal Marketing Strategies for 2025’ in partnership with InMobi Advertising, a leading provider of marketing and monetization technologies that help businesses fuel growth, and AppsFlyer, the global leader in mobile measurement, attribution, and data analytics. 

Based on insights from the 2024 cricket season, the report highlights how fans are embracing second-screen experiences on AI-powered smart surfaces, and mobile-first engagement, offering brands a strategic playbook for this high-energy period. During IPL season last year, arguably India’s biggest cricket tournament, over 120 million users engaged with Glance smart lock screen, preferring interactive, one-tap content over passive match-watching. This second-screen behavior is growing, with users having spent 44% more time on cricket-related content overall, driving 314 billion glances and 433 million taps. They also explored news, entertainment, food, and health content, while quick commerce and gaming saw a surge in engagement. 

Cricket fans consumed content in multiple languages, with English dominating at around 81%, given its widespread appeal among urban and digital-first audiences. Regional languages made up approximately 19% of the consumption, with Hindi (36.22%), Tamil (25.31%), Kannada (15.35%), Marathi (12.13%), and Telugu (10.99%) gaining traction, reflecting the local connection to the game.

Beyond second screens and smart surfaces, apps maintained a lead during the cricket season. AppsFlyer data shows a significant spike in app installs, and in-app purchases, particularly in OTT, streaming, shopping, food and drinks, investment, and travel. Engagement skyrocketed, with gaming apps seeing 6x higher CTRs, home entertainment 5.6x higher, and music 3.5x higher. Cricket fans were more active than ever, with 9.4% more in-app clicks, 21x higher video ad engagement, and full-screen interstitials delivering 13x better performance than industry benchmarks.

Bikash Chowdhury, Chief Marketing Officer, InMobi and Glance expressed, “At Glance, we’re reimagining how consumers interact with their daily devices such as mobile lock screens and connected TVs, transforming them into more engaging screens and smarter surfaces. For brands, Glance allows them to reach consumers directly on their lock screens and ambient screens of connected TVs. With InMobi Exchange, brands can extend their campaigns beyond the smart lock screen into the app environment as well. This cricket season, we’re excited to partner with AppsFlyer to bring marketers deep app-based insights, driving impactful and effective campaigns.”

“The intersection of cricket and digital engagement has never been more powerful. The insights from this collaborative report highlight a shift in how fans interact with content, with mobile emerging as the true second screen. Our findings show a 35% rise in Android app installs and a 28% surge in iOS installs from pre-IPL to peak season in 2024. This is a prime opportunity for brands—not just to reach audiences but to engage them meaningfully at high-intent moments. With deep measurement and attribution, marketers can drive data-led acquisition, retention, and engagement during IPL and beyond. Together with InMobi Advertising and Glance, we help brands navigate this evolving landscape, making every interaction count in the dynamic world of mobile marketing,” commented Sanjay Trisal, General Manager, INSEA/ANZ, AppsFlyer.

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, leading the India Masters, has been testing products from his new sports athleisure brand, “Ten X You,” through the International Maters League.

This venture, under the company SRT10 Athleisure Pvt Ltd, has Tendulkar blending his cricketing expertise with a hands-on approach to product development. Tendulkar, alongside former Swiggy executives Karthik Gurumurthy and Karan Arora, launched SRT10 Athleisure last year with backing from Peak XV (formerly Sequoia) and Whiteboard Capital. Unlike typical celebrity endorsements, Tendulkar’s involvement goes far beyond being a mere face.

Sources close to the project reveal that he has been deeply engaged in shaping the brand’s vision and strategy of driving accessibility to premium sporting goods through local manufacturing. He is has also been working closely with design and product teams for over six months.

The initial product lineup includes athleisure apparel and footwear, with a focus on cricket and training gear—items which Tendulkar has been spotted sporting during IML matches. Fans and keen observers have noticed Tendulkar sporting prototype cricket shoes, training apparel, and even luggage throughout the tournament.

Insiders say he’s been in constant communication with his product teams, offering feedback to refine designs and functionality. This hands-on testing approach echoes a tradition among athlete-entrepreneurs who leverage their platforms to perfect their brands. Tendulkar isn’t the first athlete to test products mid-competition.

Basketball icon Michael Jordan famously debuted early Air Jordan prototypes during NBA games in the 1980s, a move that not only showcased the shoes but also built the brand’s mystique. Similarly, tennis star Serena Williams has worn her Nike-backed apparel line during Grand Slams, refining designs through real-time performance. Tendulkar’s discreet testing during the IML mirrors this strategy, capitalizing on the tournament’s high-profile stage to ensure “Ten X You” meets the demands of athletes and enthusiasts alike. The brand, named “Ten X You,” aims at offering affordable, locally manufactured products—a nod to India’s growing sports goods market and government policies promoting domestic production.

With footwear dominating 60% of the market and apparel at 30%, Tendulkar’s venture taps into a rising demand for premium yet accessible gear.