March 9, 2025, will be etched in golden letters in the history of Indian cricket as Team India lifted the ICC Champions Trophy after a thrilling four-wicket victory against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium. The Men in Blue, led by their charismatic skipper, showcased remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, maintaining an unbeaten run during the group stages and delivering a spectacular semi-final win against Australia. The final against New Zealand turned out to be a high-pressure clash, but the team held its nerve to script a historic victory.

As the nation erupted in joy, brands across India were quick to ride the celebratory wave, flooding social media with witty, heartwarming, and creative tributes to India’s Champions Trophy triumph. Several major brands took the opportunity to connect with millions of cricket fans and generate high engagement through clever brand messaging. Here’s how some of the biggest brands reacted to India’s historic win:

Zomato: Serving Gold, Just Like Team India

The popular food delivery platform, Zomato, took a creative approach by linking India’s victory to the traditional practice of Indians buying gold in Dubai. Their post read, “Gold kahan se mangwayein? Dubai ya Zomato?” (Where should we order gold from? Dubai or Zomato?). This smart play on words not only celebrated the team’s golden triumph but also cleverly reinforced their brand positioning as the fastest and most reliable food delivery service.

Swiggy: Delivering Victory, One Ball at a Time

Swiggy, another prominent name in the food delivery space, celebrated India’s victory with a captivating animation that symbolized India’s incredible journey throughout the tournament. The brand posted a video that depicted the cricket ball transforming into a food delivery bag, metaphorically connecting Swiggy’s fast deliveries to Team India’s swift win. Their message, “Delivery time: 50 overs. Delivered: ICC Champions Trophy”, struck a chord with cricket fans across the nation.

Blinkit: Speedy Delivery Meets Swift Victory

Quick-commerce platform Blinkit joined the celebration by emphasizing its USP—speedy delivery—by comparing it to the speed with which Team India chased down the target. Their post read, “Match jitna fast, delivery usse bhi fast” (As fast as the match, even faster delivery). The witty post garnered massive engagement, as fans resonated with the parallel between Blinkit’s delivery speed and India’s sharp gameplay.

Thumbs Up: Tasting Victory with Every Sip:

Thumbs Up, known for its association with high-energy campaigns, lived up to its brand identity by rolling out a powerful visual where the iconic Thumbs Up bottle was depicted alongside the Champions Trophy, with the tagline “Knockout punch, just like Team India”. The brand’s clever use of its ‘knockout’ theme perfectly aligned with India’s dominant performance in the final, drawing massive social media applause.

Coca-Cola: Refreshing the Moment of Glory

Coca-Cola, continuing its popular ‘Half-Time’ campaign, immediately joined the celebration by releasing a series of celebratory posts that captured the excitement of India’s victory. Their post featured a family gathered around the television with a bottle of Coca-Cola in hand, celebrating the iconic win. The caption read, “Half-Time se Full-Time tak, jeet ki pyaas Coca-Cola se bujhao!” (From half-time to full-time, quench your thirst for victory with Coca-Cola). The brand’s timely response resonated with millions of fans who were glued to their screens during the final.

Maggi: The Taste of Perseverance

Maggi, the much-loved instant noodle brand, paid a heartfelt tribute to the hard work and resilience of Team India. Their social media post displayed a steaming bowl of noodles with the caption “2-minute mein ban jaye, lekin jeet ke liye dedication chahiye” (Ready in two minutes, but victory requires dedication). The post metaphorically compared the quick preparation of Maggi to the intense training and dedication of the Indian cricket team, striking an emotional chord with their audience.

A Nationwide Celebration:

The impact of India’s Champions Trophy victory transcended beyond the cricketing world. Fans flooded the streets, social media platforms witnessed an outpouring of congratulatory messages, and brands saw this as an opportunity to foster deeper connections with their audience. This trend of brands hopping on real-time events like major cricket victories not only boosts their brand visibility but also humanizes their image by aligning themselves with the emotions of their audience.

In the past, brands have leveraged major sporting events like the Cricket World Cup, IPL, and Olympics to drive high engagement and reach wider audiences. However, the response to India’s Champions Trophy victory in 2025 was unparalleled. The unity of purpose that the cricket team demonstrated on the field seemed to resonate with the marketing brilliance shown by brands off the field.

The Power of Real-Time Marketing:

The 2025 Champions Trophy victory once again highlighted the power of real-time marketing. Brands that successfully linked their messaging to a major cultural moment not only witnessed higher engagement but also strengthened their relationship with customers. This victory served as a reminder to brands that staying culturally relevant, emotionally connected, and creatively agile can lead to long-lasting brand loyalty.

As Team India returned home with the Champions Trophy, brands continued to capitalize on the euphoria, launching special discounts, limited-time offers, and commemorative products to further deepen the celebration. Whether it was Zomato’s golden analogy or Blinkit’s lightning-fast tribute, brands once again proved that marketing is not just about selling—it’s about storytelling that aligns with the nation’s sentiment.

For now, India celebrates not only its cricketing heroes but also the creative geniuses behind these impactful brand moments. The victory was sweet, and the marketing strategies were even sweeter.

Author: Ronak Rehal