5 funny Indian cricket ads which will make you nostalgic

For a long time, Indian advertisements have been inseparable from Indian cricket. The two have evolved their identity hand in hand, and have treated us to some really funny gems over the past. Cricketers are known as one of the most marketable breeds in India, along with celebrities. Banking on their popularity, brands attempt to create ads which go with the image of the cricketers. In some cases it leaves us in stitches, in other cases the laughter caused was unintentional. In the following cases, the ads when viewed in today's context, make way for some rich laughter. Here is a look at 5 funny ads from the 90s, guaranteed to make you laugh.

#1 Nothing official about it

Sachin made sure to bring the laughs

During the 1996 Cricket World Cup, Pepsi were unable to secure official sponsorship for the event. Not being one to back down, they started a campaign with the slogan "Nothing official about it."

An ad featuring Sachin Tendulkar showed him breaking a vehicle's glass, before being chased away by the driver. The driver makes a show of chasing him before cornering him. He then instead of chastising him, offers him a Pepsi.

Sachin then turns his cap backward, as if to hide the logo on the cap, before leaning forward conspiratorially and saying, "Nothing official about it."

#2 Bengal Tiger indeed

One should let sleeping lions lie

When Sourav Ganguly was christened "Bengal Tiger", he probably had not anticipated the full ramifications of the nickname.

One can't really blame him for not foreseeing a foray with a furry lion because he happens to share a similar name.

This gem of an advertisment, saw the Indian team attempting to pry a box of Pepsi away from under the nose of a sleeping lion. They almost succeed behind Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, before Harbhajan Singh hits the lion on the head with a sixer.

Unaware of the unintentional drawback of hitting a lion on the head, Harbhajan runs up a hill with all the glee of Jack and Jill bounding uphill. The team then sends him behind the bushes for a tryst with the lion.

Superb shot Sher-e-Punjab, said Sourav Ganguly, before sending his spinner to an early grave.

Doesn't really speak all that much of our team spirit, when the team is willing to send a lamb to the slaughter, and laugh about it.

#3 Sachin impersonated by Shahrukh

The struggle to obtain a can is real

At some point, we ought to take a step back and wonder why exactly are soft drinks so difficult to obtain. They ought to be available at every corner shop, but apparently one has to move heaven and earth to get their hands on it. At least that's how the ads picture it.

In this ad, Shahrukh Khan of all people, has to infiltrate the Indian Cricket Team's locker room to pry away a can of Pepsi. One can be sure that his fans would happily oblige his request for a mere can, but reality as showed in the ads appears to be different.

Shahrukh dresses up as Sachin Tendulkar of all people, height discrepancy be damned. He then does such a good job of imitating Sachin that he gets sent to the field to bat. Perhaps if some of his recent movies were treated to such convincing portrayals, the audience would have been spared a lobotomy.

#4 No jam for Jammy? Perish the thought!

Just give it to him already

A Rahul Dravid fan was seeing a psychiatrist for some reason. The Psychiatrist suggested a word association test, name the first thing coming to mind upon hearing a particular word, in this case the name of the player he's besotted with.

The test went thusly: Rahul Dravid-Jammy-Jam-Kissan Jam.

And that is how the No Jam for Jammy tagline was born.

One can observe a trend here. Apparently food and beverage items seem to be somewhat difficult to procure for the Indian cricketers. Frodo stumbled upon the ring of power with more ease than some of these players face in their quest to obtain nourishment.

#5 He\'s quite gone

Some good old fashioned bait and switch

This ad definitely achieved the goal of becoming a part of the vernacular. The phrase, "Iski to gayi", became quite famous after this aired.

The ad begins with Shane Warne and Carl Hooper creeping through a mall and stalking a girl. Talk about being gender sensitive. They then cause a tumble resulting in Sachin going, "Main Kaun Hoon, Main Kaha Hun."

The iconic, "Iski to gayi." phrase comes next, referring to Sachin's memory. Warne and Hooper attempt to get Sachin to fly away to Honolulu, before Sachin dupes them and packs them off to the place instead.

The ducks flying around Sachin's head were quite a nice touch.