MPL or Bigg Boss

The season’s here, and no, we’re not referring to Mariah Carey’s overplayed tune—it’s MPL time! It feels as though the decorations across campus were crafted by the Logistics team just for this League. The air is crisp, the lights are twinkling, and Christmas cheer fills the air. But for those of us in SBM, the real excitement isn’t just the holiday spirit—it’s the MPL chants that now echo through the halls!

This season, forget the usual Christmas bustle—it’s all about bids, strategies, and big plays. With the Management Premiere League kicking off, the energy is undeniable. 253 players, 10 teams, and countless bids—every move counts, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Welcome to the MPL auction, where smart strategies and bold decisions pave the way for glory.

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The Auction Room: The First Big Step

The auction room was electric with excitement, and everyone was there for one reason: utter and sheer victory. Gaurav Keshav (Vice Captain of Run-De-Basanti) made waves by inflating marquee bids as the Delhi Capitals’ "Taklu Uncle," keeping the competition on edge. At one point, it seemed like he wouldn’t complete a roster, but in the final moments, he secured base-price stars while others spent lavishly elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Anmol Mehta (Captain of The Elite Heroes) played his cards strategically but found himself outmaneuvered by a composed “man with the airpod,” who dropped an RTM at just the right moment. 

On the other hand, Sidhanth ‘Sippy’ Sudheer (Captain of Soaring Sixes) started strong, securing early picks before retreating, only to make a powerful comeback toward the end.

Each team brought distinct strategies. Some focused on fresh talent to bring new perspectives, while others stuck to their roots, drafting players with similar attributes. Only time will tell whether these approaches pay off.  

Sure, some might argue that placements and careers matter more, but for those who’ve been here long enough, MPL and job interviews are equally intense. Already, players like Dev Sinha and Aryaman Panda, who were picked up for 120,000 bids each, are making headlines in the Audi Block corridors. These high-stakes moments are just a taste of the drama to come.

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The Art of Sledging: When Words Hit Harder Than Balls

If you thought MPL fever peaked with the auction, think again. The real game begins now—a battlefield where strategies clash, egos collide, and comebacks hit harder than a Bumrah yorker. Captains, fresh faces, and underdogs alike are ready to battle for the crown. Will the veterans hold their ground, or will the newcomers disrupt the balance? One thing’s for sure: this season, anything can happen.

Now, let’s talk about the real fun: sledging. Over the years, a fine line has been drawn between witty banter and crossing the line, and in MPL, sledging is nothing short of an art form. If you’re not roasting your opponents, you’re doing it wrong. A well-timed cheeky jab can bring down even the greatest. That subtle mix of insecurity and someone being vocal about your so-called prowess is often enough to ensure the next ball—no matter how mediocre—will be your wicket.

This banter flies fast and furious. It’s not just about the bids; it’s about how you play the game—with words. Whether you’re dishing out comebacks or handling the heat, sledging is an inseparable part of the MPL experience.

Here are some classic sledging styles—masterful jabs designed to unravel the toughest players, leaving echoes that define every unforgettable match.

• The Keeper Taunt: The keeper, crouched in the “Indian toilet” position for hours, is the ultimate chatterbox. From pointless quips to relentless barbs, they bark into the batsman’s ear like a broken radio. It may not guarantee a wicket, but it’s often enough to rattle even the most unflappable player. Think of the last game when the keeper’s running commentary had the opener stepping away mid-delivery to "re-center focus."

  
  

• The Fine Leg Yapster: This player may lack skill with the bat or ball but is a certified expert in psychological warfare. Their jaw-dropping analogies and sharp wordplay are almost a form of dark art. Remember when that fielder’s chirp about “leaving singles for someone with a better GPA” sent the entire batting lineup into a spiral of self-doubt? Or the iconic, “Bro, Zomato sponsor ah? All these nice, nice deliveries you’re leaving,” that had the batsman questioning their entire approach. And let’s not forget the savage, “Bro, Meghana’s should name a special after you—‘Sixless Special.’ Six Boneless Kebabs,” which left the entire dugout in splits. Classic Fine Leg Yapster.

  
  

• The Parle-G Factor: A fan-favourite, this sledge involves the dugout reenacting feeding Parle-G biscuits to a dog whenever a fielder sprints towards the boundary to save a ball. The shouts of “Oi Oi, Parle-G idhar hai cutie!” echo loud enough to rival match commentary. Watching the fielder grit their teeth while chasing the next ball? Priceless.

  
  

• The Whisper Assassin: Unlike their louder counterparts, this player operates in hushed tones, delivering lines so sharp they don’t need volume to cut through. Gems like, "Swing harder—maybe you’ll hit something next time" or “Hope your team’s strategy includes a refund for this inning” are their specialty. Subtle but lethal—as seen in this week’s match when the opener’s scoring streak was cut short after a whispered exchange, which we guess we’ll never hear more about. 

  
  

• The Dugout DJ: This sledger uses heartbreak songs as their weapon of choice. Every time a fielder messes up, they’ll mock-sing something like “Channa Mereya” or “Tujhse Naraz Nahin Zindagi,” implying the opposition is nursing a broken ego. 

  
  

• The Alumni Callback: This one hits where it hurts. “Oh, you remind me of ***** from Batch of ’23. He also thought he’d get picked by Deloitte—didn’t even make it past HR.” Delivered with precision, this taunt brings back ghosts of failed alumni dreams. It’s impossible not to recall the last match where this jab had an entire team laughing mid-over.

  
  

• The Gym Bro Diss: Aimed at players who love flaunting their fitness off-field but can’t deliver on it. “Those biceps won’t save you from getting clean bowled,” or, Six pack dikh raha hai, par sixes kab dikhaoge?” It’s the kind of burn that gym-goers dread. Remember the all-rounder who posted bench press PRs on Instagram but got sent back to the pavilion in under 5 minutes?

But  then again, don’t let the volume fool you—sledging in the Women’s MPL is on another level altogether. A single field barely contains the firepower of 22 fiercely competitive women ready to back up their words with ruthless precision. If you think the boys’ banter stings, just wait until you see how quickly words and skills collide in the W-MPL. Those legendary moments where sledging turned a game on its head? You’ll find them in every match, guaranteed.

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MPL-ism: Beyond the Field

Addiction has a new name this season: MPL fever.

Forget endless scrolling through reels; CricHeroes has taken over as the new social media. From cheering for your best buddy snagging the POTM title to lamenting a crushing 10-wicket loss (complete with single-digit scores), this fever doesn’t just stick—it consumes.

It’s there when you’re zoning out in class, strategizing during dinner, or rethinking every game plan while making weekend plans. The banter doesn’t stop; the group chats are lit with match predictions, team analysis, and post-game memes. Even that last-minute birthday party you RSVP’d to? You’re mentally refreshing match stats while pretending to care about the cake.

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A Season Like No Other

As the season kicks off, the stage is set for big plays, bold strategies, and moments that’ll be talked about long after the last ball is bowled. Whether it’s through broken mics, ghost-run tractors, or the SOC team uniting with an intensity rivalling a Netflix drama, MPL is here to shake things up.

And through it all, Team RÉVEIL will be on the frontlines, capturing every roar, sledge, and game-changing moment. Our mission? To make sure that what unfolds on the grounds of Dharmaram resonates across every classroom, every block, and every buzzing corridor of the university.

So, gear up, strategize, and bring your A-game—because MPL is here, and it’s about to leave a mark. Let the games begin! 🎯

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Penned by

Sriya Yarlagadda, Prithvi Sai, and Himanshi Baid

Aka your favourite chaos coordinators of SBM. <3