Dream11 is a brand that boasts a substantial following due to its focused association with the IPL and the Indian cricket team. Before I delve into my unbiased admiration for the brilliant creative, ‘Aapki Team mai kaun’ by brand Dream11, let me clarify that I am against referring to Dream11 and selecting Fantasy Teams as a “Game of skill.”
I know it is addictive, and many people have lost money they can’t afford. However, I do not have an argument against or for promoting something that requires repeated reminders to play carefully—it’s addictive and can lead to financial issues.
In many ways, this disclaimer supports the game’s status as a ‘Game of skill’, maybe absolving moral issues and daring—the lure pushes more players to join.
I have discussed these points earlier, and till the elected Government of the land and the judiciary sides with Dream11- I don’t think we have a case but just a stance- an argument. However, I am happy that a few states still ban it.
AAPKI TEAM MAI KAUN?
Now, back to the brilliant TVC that the world’s largest fantasy sports platform with over 230 million users unleashes on IPL 2025. ‘Aapki Team Mein Kaun?’ for the IPL 2025.
It is superb. It retains the basic raw Gali cricket emotions of selecting your team carefully and backing it. However, where it scores is the continued confluence of Bollywood and cricket- two big religions in India. Yes, it could have been bettered, and we could have had some southern Bollywood star in the script, but keep those thoughts aside and enjoy the TVC.
WIDE SCOPE.
Maybe the brand missed scoring a brilliant one in script, scale, and impression. Only if they could have had Aditya Yoginath bridging politics and religion- it could have been a fantabulous script. There is scope for many more such scripts, and surely, the brand would have evaluated Muslim-Hindu, Congress-BJP, and singer-musician combinations.
BRILLIANT SCRIPTING- PERFORMANCE. AAPKI TEAM MAI KAUN?
This is surely like what adult kids would do. They act like children. The boys never grow up – the toys do. It has a humorously doused, playful script where two generation stars Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor end up fighting and then agreeing to settle the score through the gentleman game of cricket. Then there is a small cameo of Arbaaz Khan and Jackie Shroff – all in the fun. In between, we have the superstars of cricket stars, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, R. Ashwin being part of the plot.
Aapki team mai kaun? It is simply engaging and uses a colloquial term that has the potential of becoming Saka number Aaygea. This is when there is no newness in the game. But, ‘Aapki Team Mein Kaun?’ is definitely going to lure a fresh set of new participants into the net. Maybe we are missing a huge segment- women- who are copiously absent in the script.
DREAM11- CLASSIC CASE STUDY.
The brand is a classic case study. It has been singularly focused on expanding its net and gaining additional participants- keeping the simplicity of the game at its core. It has used celebrities and the common public in an interesting way. Dream11 has a rich legacy of some excellent creatives; all their work is pleasing and engaging.
Every time, Dream11 surprises its audience with a new, playful take on the age-old concept of choosing the team and playing the game in its rawness. ‘Aapki Team Mein Kaun?’ is the most ambitious of lot.
Tilt- the agency behind it and the Brand custodians at Dream11 must be saluted for doing great work. For a change, IPL, with this grand unveiling of communication and association, sounds like the Superbowl. And there is a promise that DREAM11 has something special with IPL- knowing that there needs to be newness around the old game of selecting the team. S0- There is also Iss hafte naya Kya?
CAN’T AVOID THE DREAM11 DEBATE.
Dream11 must succeed in its business objective to find and pump more than 3000 cr into its advertising marketing expenses, which predominately centre around cricket. However, with success comes a need for transparency and perception management.
Many do not believe that there are enough people who have made money and have been given the prize other than what the advertisements and banners ay proclaim. However, there are enough one hears about people who have been financially drained or are fighting addiction. It is very easy for the pyramid to fall if the game gets similar negative vibes as the lottery now enjoys.
The low entry barrier, ease of accessibility, temptation to try one’s luck and some initial success make it highly addictive. Hence, despite the argument and judgement, most would agree that it is merely luck and a gamble. Maybe time that we legalise all forms of gambling or rethink it completely.
The Dream11 constant use of celebrity- much different than in the initial days, where the love of the game dominated communication surely makes it more tempting. The current ‘Aapki Team Mein Kaun?’ is no different. People would find their own answers. And there is no moral dilemma in allowing it to proliferate or in castigating someone for indulging in it.
Till society sees it as acceptable and there is no law against it, everyone must use their own moral compass and keep the reading to themselves.
NETNET.
Before I close and not in a way of asking you to play the Dream11 game and choose your team, frankly a lot of us do have a favourite IPL team and are constantly engaged through the season on Teri Team Mai Kaun? I would have preferred Teri Vs Aapki when we have such an endearing term for better inclusiveness. However, maybe it’s Dream11’s way of addressing their gullible participants with respect.
So here I am, leaving you with a simple question: Aapki Team Mai Kaun?
I would like to really know your stories and reactions to your take on this ‘Game of Skill’, addictive gaming, and if you know of people who have made or lost a substantial sum of money.
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Here are some of the DREAM11 TVCs. Enjoy. The list below does not include the initial 2-3 year ads, which were brilliant for the introduction.
