From French rugby roots to Delhi’s electronica, here’s the untold story of two tunes that play on loop in India’s biggest cricketing spectacle
Summer evenings in India buzz with heat, flickering TVs, and roaring fans in packed stadiums. Amid the chaos of big hits and celebrations, two sounds unite the experience. One blares from stadium speakers while the other softly enters your living room, familiar enough that you might hum them unconsciously.
The Indian Premier League, now in its 18th season—officially TATA IPL 2025—has transformed into a pop-culture phenomenon. Alongside towering sixes and thrilling finishes, the IPL's soundscape has subtly crafted the spectacle. Like Kohli, Dhoni, and Rohit, two melodies have matured with the league, becoming its unsung heroes.
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A riff that rules the summer
It's just four seconds long, yet it dominates the summer. That trumpet sound? You've heard it. At every ground, at every match. It's loud, catchy, and compels thousands to scream "Ole!" without a second thought. But here's the thing—it didn't originate in cricket. And certainly not in India.
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Back in the 1970s, Spanish composer Juan Quintero Muñoz wrote a track called "En Er Mundo. "It was used in bullfights throughout Spain. From there, it danced into French rugby stadiums. In 2007, it echoed across France during the Rugby World Cup, where South Africa lifted the trophy. Suddenly, the tune had a new home.
Credit: Planet Rugby
When the IPL moved to South Africa in 2009, Francois Pienaar—yes, the 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning captain—was in charge of IPL marketing. He slipped this trumpet tune into the mix. The crowds loved it. And that "Ole!" response? Straight out of Spanish stadiums. It clicked. The tune stuck.
Since then, the IPL hasn't let go of the trumpet, which plays after boundaries, wickets, and anything remotely exciting.
It's the sonic glue that binds the crowd and cricketer together, a sound that tells fans it's time to scream. This soundbite now screams IPL louder than any commentary ever could.
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Not all IPL sounds are made for the stadium. Some remain tucked away, just beneath the noise. Like that sleek, synth-driven beat that plays on your screen before the match or during highlight reels. You know the one. Fast. Modern. Addictive. Yet, oddly nameless.
It doesn't have a title, and no credit flashes on the screen. But it has been part of the tournament since 2014, slipping into your living room during every game.
Credit: Punditz.com
This background track was composed by Midival Punditz, a Delhi-based electronica duo. Tapan Raj and Gaurav Raina were commissioned by the BCCI back in 2014 to create a high-energy and future-ready theme. They produced several versions—some fast, some slow, all unforgettable. The irony? Even they forgot they made it. That's how behind-the-scenes this masterpiece is.
But it's played during every single match—when scorecards roll, when replays slow down, and when those highlight montages hit you with goosebumps.
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Now in its 18th edition, TATA IPL 2025 remains a powerful force. Ten teams, seventy-four matches, thirteen cities. Yet, as Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit embark on what may be their final IPLs, the soundtrack remains unchanged.
These two sounds—one summoning crowds to erupt and another capturing every thrilling moment—are the essence of the spectacle. They've witnessed every six, every heartbreak, and every fairy-tale finish.
You may not have noticed them previously. But now, you'll never unhear them.
Because music doesn't always take centre stage. At times, it sits quietly in the background—until you realise it has been narrating the story all along.
