Indian Premier League (IPL) has always portrayed a mix of the richness of Indian culture, stupendous cricketing skills, and the fan frenzy that surrounds the sport, stupendously in all its advertisements creatively.

Over the years, the IPL theme songs and the TV Commercials (TVCs) have tried to build an emotional connect with the audience. On March 12, the IPL launched its anthem song titled ‘Best vs Best’ for this year’s edition of the cash-rich cricket league.

The excitement level for the 11th IPL is already sky-high amongst the fans, as both, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings will be making their comeback this year. As the 11th edition of IPL nears, we look back at yesteryears IPL advertisements, TVCs, and anthem songs that will make you feel how far has the journey of IPL have come.

01. Indian Premier League 2017

The 2017 IPL anthem was titled ‘Wah re Wah’. The anthem was about aesthetics of life being blended well with the different aspects of IPL. The 10th edition of the IPL began on April 5 and the final was played on May 21. Mumbai Indians were the champions for the second time as they defeated Rising Pune Supergiants in the final.

02. Indian Premier League 2016

The advertisements during the IPL 2016 season were themed on ‘Ek India Happywala’. The following TVC talks about the goodness in daily vagaries of life of Indians. The 9th IPL began on April 9, and the final was played on May 29. It was the SunRisers Hyderabad team that defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore team in the final.

03. Indian Premier League 2015 

‘India ka Tyohaar’ was the central theme of the IPL 2015. The melodious song will make you sing it time and again. It is a well-known fact that cricket is celebrated as a festival in India. This ‘India Ka Tyohaar’ video captured the essence very well. The season began on April 8 and ended on May 24; the winners of the IPL tournament were Mumbai Indians.

04. Indian Premier League 2014

No matter where you are or what you are doing, if there’s IPL calling, you answer. The 2014 advertisements were made on the same sentiment, titled ‘Come on, Bulaava Aaya Hai’. Whichever place you are at or whatever you are doing, if there’s an IPL match going on, you will be glued to your television set. In 2014, Kolkata Knight Riders became the second-time champions in the tournament history.

05. Indian Premier League 2013

Who does not remember Farah Khan gate-crashing corporate meetings, house parties and other random places and teaching people how to dance if a wicket falls, or a four or a six is scored. The ‘Dil Jumping-Japaang’ song is still etched in ears of the IPL fans. It was quite fun as there were many fan videos made viral on the internet with people shaking their leg to the tune. It was Mumbai Indians team who won the IPL trophy in the year 2013.

06. Indian Premier League 2012

The 2012 IPL theme song talked about opportunities and chances one gets while playing the tournament. The domestic players get a lot of exposure, and it serves as a perfect platform for them to showcase their cricketing skills. Titled ‘Aisa Mauka Aur Kahan Milega’ tried to portray the real IPL in front of its audiences. Under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, it was KKR who won the IPL title for the first time in tournament’s history.

07. Indian Premier League 2011

The peppy number ‘Dum Laga Ke Mara Re’ showed people from different walks of life celebrate the spirit of cricket. It shows the cricket fans of all franchises gesturing and mimicking umpire’s signal for a six with a lively tune in the background. Chennai Super Kings won their second IPL title under the leadership of MS Dhoni during this year.

08. Indian Premier League 2010

A mixture of both, Lagaan and Chak De India, this promotional video of IPL 2010 tried to raise the excitement levels in the cricket viewers. The sport’s fans are seen dancing in the stadium to a musical song, whose lyrics are soulful. The tournament began on March 12 and ended on April 25. Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians in the final, to lift their first IPL title.

09. Indian Premier League 2009

The 2009 IPL video showed people of different countries across the world involved in different works of a different world altogether. This meaningful advertisement during the 2009 IPL shows how a sport can bind people beyond boundaries. The tournament was held in South Africa and it was Deccan Chargers, led by Adam Gilchrist, who won the IPL trophy that year.

10. Indian Premier League 2008

The inaugural themed-promotional video of the IPL remains to be one of the best till date. The video shows Indian legends and cricketing greats from other countries in this powerful IPL ad. The background score, the lyrics, and the visuals – will make you gear yourself up to play the sport with vigour!

The 2018 IPL season is about to begin on April 7 and the final is scheduled to be played on May 31. With the IPL auction taking place earlier this year, it will be interesting to see how the new team formations play out their best cricket in the quest of the coveted IPL trophy. Stay tuned with us for all the latest updates about Indian Premier League 2018.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2018 05:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).