ESPNcricinfo has crowned Nakul Sharma as the first-ever winner of CricCaster, powered by Nexa, a national hunt to discover India’s next great on-camera cricket storyteller. The campaign, which culminated during the IPL 2025 final, offered a unique platform to cricket fans to showcase their voice, perspective, and connection to the game.
Sharma, 21, a stage host, percussionist, and communication graduate from Faridabad, emerged as the standout among more than 700 entries received from across India. His journey through the contest, which included fan engagement, celebrity interviews, and live studio segments, earned him a spot on ESPNcricinfo Time Out during the IPL 2025 final broadcast on June 3. The CricCaster initiative and finalist coverage were originally developed and executed by ESPNcricinfo in partnership with Nexa.
“Studio environments can be intimidating and often unpredictable. It was commendable to witness each finalist handle the pressure. Nakul stood out as a natural, with clarity of thought, a good grasp of the game and remaining true to himself,” said Mayanti Langer.
A rigorous competition designed for future cricket media stars
Launched during the Champions Trophy 2025, the CricCaster campaign invited fans to submit one-minute videos via ESPNcricinfo’s social channels. Judges looked for originality, cricketing insight, and comfort on camera. From hundreds of applications, 30 were shortlisted and tested through three challenges focused on analysis, storytelling, and broad audience communication.
From there, four finalists were selected: Palak Sharma (Delhi), Ashwin Menon (Mumbai), Dhruv Shukla (Mumbai), and Nakul Sharma (Faridabad). These four participated in five advanced challenges, including direct interactions with cricket celebrities and real-time studio work alongside former players.
“It was inspiring to witness the finalists grow through each stage, bringing back fond memories of the start of my own journey. Nakul’s sincerity and raw authenticity along with his confident delivery made a lasting impression,” said Jatin Sapru.
Powered by Nexa: style meets storytelling
As title partner, Nexa was deeply embedded in the CricCaster experience, with the Maruti Suzuki Fronx serving as the finalists’ travel companion throughout the competition. The vehicle featured prominently in content creation, with travel vignettes and digital storytelling segments that reflected Nexa’s blend of innovation and elegance.
The finalists’ journeys were extensively covered across ESPNcricinfo’s digital platforms, including appearances on flagship live show Time Out, and social media activations that gave fans a front-row seat to their progress.
“All four finalists brought a freshness and personality to the table. Nakul, in particular, had us engaged throughout by simply being true to himself. He was endearing to watch as a viewer while remembering to showcase a passionate understanding of the game,” said Raunak Kapoor.
More than a contest: a talent platform for the cricket content future
The CricCaster initiative represents ESPNcricinfo’s broader push to move fans from spectators to creators. With mentorship from experienced presenters and opportunities to work in high-pressure broadcast settings, the platform was built as a career springboard for emerging voices in cricket media.
“CricCaster was built on the idea of harnessing talent and passion within the fan community. More than finding a winner, it was about offering a platform, providing mentorship, and welcoming new faces world of cricket media. Nakul earned the top spot, but Palak, Ashwin, and Dhruv were all winners in their own very unique ways,” said Sambit Bal, editor-in-chief of ESPNcricinfo.
Sharma’s debut on Time Out during the IPL 2025 final marked not just the end of a competition—but the beginning of a new voice in cricket media. And as ESPNcricinfo and Nexa look ahead, CricCaster seems poised to become a mainstay in the cricket content landscape, celebrating the passion of fans and future storytellers alike.
