The CRED advertisements are one of the things that Indian Premier League (IPL) fans look forward to the most, aside from the exciting games. CRED has completely changed IPL advertising in recent seasons with its oddball, out-of-the-ordinary, and really funny commercials. CRED’s approach to marketing is unparalleled, whether it is reviving childhood memories, presenting unexpected celebrity cameos, or bringing back 90s Bollywood icons. We’ll go back in time and revisit the top 5 CRED IPL ads that won our hearts and overtook our social media feeds in this blog.
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But what makes these ads so special?
- Unpredictability – You never determine what’s forthcoming next.
- Nostalgia Factor – CRED has a knack for carrying back omitted icons in a current, amusing way.
- Quirky Humor – Their advertisements don’t solely foster CRED; they develop meme-worthy content.
- Viral Appeal – Practically all CRED IPL ad turns into an immediate social media sensation.
From Rahul Dravid’s ‘Indiranagar ka Gunda’ to Jackie Shroff’s fitness instructor act, these advertisements have set new norms for innovation in IPL advertising.
Let’s dive in!
1. “Great for the Good” | ft. Rahul Dravid | Top 5 CRED IPL Ads
Great for the good | ft. Rahul Dravid | CRED
Ad Summary
CRED’s “Great for the Good” commercial depicting Rahul Dravid is probably one of the least iconic IPL commercials of all era. The commercial strikes an unforeseen and amusing swing by portraying Dravid, recognised for his placid and composed demeanour, as an enraged road-raging man.
In his opening remarks, Jim Sarbh praises CRED’s rewards program and makes an unlikely analogy, like Rahul Dravid losing his cool. Then, as the action shifts to Dravid caught in traffic, he yells at other drivers, honks loudly, and even bangs on the roof of his car out of rage. The lyrics that instantly became a global sensation, “Indiranagar ka Gunda hoon main!” is the aspect of the performance that people remember the most.
For cricket fans who had always seen Dravid as “The Wall”—calm, composed, and submissive—this inflated, irritated portrayal of him was astonishing and comical.
Why It Stood Out
The advertisement so compelling lies in its erratic behaviour. Rahul Dravid is widely regarded as one of the most composed cricketers, making his transformation into an aggressive, impatient driver all the more hilarious. The script is sharp and simple, relying purely on Dravid’s performance rather than intricate narrative. The humour succeeds because it takes an ordinary situation—road rage—and places an extraordinarily composed personality at the centre of it.
Another factor for its success is its timing. Released during IPL 2021, Another factor for its success is its timing. Released during IPL 2021, when cricket conversations were at their height, used surprise and nostalgia to great effect.
Public Reaction & Viral Impact
The advertisement swiftly rose to prominence as one of the least popular commercials of the IPL season. The term “Indiranagar ka Gunda” trended on Twitter, and social media sites were inundated with memes, GIFs, and responses.
Users began putting Dravid’s angry facial expressions into other scenarios within hours of its release, turning it into a template for memes. Celebrities, brands, and cricket players all contributed their own variations on the now-iconic line. In his Twitter reaction to the advertisement, Virat Kohli said he had never seen this side of Rahul Dravid before.
Millions of views in a matter of days and lengthy discussions on social media demonstrated excellent engagement extents. The commercial developed an international sensation in addition to promoting CRED.
Legacy of the Ad
An effective IPL commercial was redefined by the “Indiranagar ka Gunda” ad. CRED employed humour, unpredictability, and an unexpected personality twist to draw attention rather than relying on a conventional brand message. As among the most frequently talked-about advertisements in recent times, the campaign established an entirely novel standard for Indian advertising.
This campaign demonstrated how a groundbreaking idea and a potent cultural allusion can turn a straightforward advertisement into a viral sensation. Rahul Dravid’s portrayal as the archetypal gentleman cricketer added to the humour of this development, making the commercial current long after the IPL season ended.
Related – The Best Parle IPL Ads
2. “Director’s Cut” | ft. David Warner & SS Rajamouli | Top 5 CRED IPL Ads
Director’s Cut ft. David Warner & SS Rajamouli | CRED
Ad Summary
Famous Indian director SS Rajamouli and Australian batsman David Warner create an unusual but highly entertaining duo in CRED’s “Director’s Cut” ad. In the fictional scenario portrayed in the advertisement, Warner approaches Rajamouli with wild film ideas in an effort to land a major role in a blockbuster. The commercial humorously showcases four absurd movie ideas, each more ludicrous than the last:
- Run-out Raja – A thriller where Warner outruns time in order to address the problems that humanity faces.
- Hyderabadi Hero – A comedy where he employs Hyderabadi biryani to change the course of a cricket team’s destiny.
- Warner Anna (Batting Bomma) – The first in a trilogy tells the story of Warner becoming invisible after being cursed by a sacred bat and needing to discover a cure.
- WWW (World Wide Warner) – A sci-fi epic in which Warner is the captain of an alien cricket team in the epic science fiction movie.
Rajamouli’s straight-faced responses as he hears these exaggerated pitches heighten the humour in the commercial. The commercial ends with a brilliant twist that quietly reinforces the brand message—Rajamouli moves to CRED UPI, receives cash back, and never needs to ask Warner for a discount again.
Why It Stood Out
The unexpected pairing of personalities makes the advertisement effective. David Warner, a cricket player who has a strong bond with Indian fans, particularly in Hyderabad, thanks to his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, is coupled with SS Rajamouli, who is well-known for his fantastical storytelling in movies like Baahubali and RRR.
Typical Telugu cinema cliches serve as the inspiration for the overblown film conceptions, which add even another level of hilarity. Given Warner’s enormous social media following, especially for his TikTok dance videos and passion for Indian films, the advertisement is all the more appropriate. A clever method to connect the ridiculousness to the product is the last twist, in which Rajamouli “upgrades” to CRED UPI in order to avoid needing discounts.
Public Reaction & Viral Impact
The advertisement was extremely popular, particularly with Telugu moviegoers and IPL enthusiasts. On social media, the movie titles and their extravagant descriptions were extensively shared. The advertisement’s references to Rajamouli’s distinctive narrative style and Warner’s association with Hyderabad were well-received by viewers.
As people imagined what these fictitious films would look like, other memes emerged. A few admirers even demanded that Rajamouli bring one of these concepts to life. The advertisement’s impact was further increased when Warner himself shared it on his social media accounts.
Legacy of the Ad
This commercial reaffirmed CRED’s capacity to merge levity, athletics, and popular culture into a cohesive, distinctive campaign. It might not have gone viral as widely as “Indiranagar ka Gunda,” but it was nevertheless well-liked by Telugu moviegoers and cricket lovers.
Additionally, the advertisement improved Warner’s relationship with Indian viewers, solidifying his status as one of the most adored international cricket players in IPL history. CRED continued their habit of oddball, surprising marketing with another campaign that seemed more like entertainment than advertising.
3. “Play It Different” | ft. Ravi Shastri | CRED
Ad Summary
Ravi Shastri appears in CRED’s “Play It Different” commercial in a way that fans have always envisioned but hadn’t witnessed on TV. The ultimate party icon is portrayed as a previous Indian cricket team coach and player, who is well known for his fascinating electrifying and exuberant demeanour.
Using a well-known joke about Shastri’s penchant for partying, the advertisement presents an invite-only party list with odd and comical requirements to join, like:
- Using a cricket bat to open beer bottles
- examining party videos to see how many beers were wasted
- 24-hour bartending
- Keeping a spare container of “cough syrup” on hand
- Parking parallel to the bar counter
He concludes by urging those who can’t meet these eccentric standards to not be disheartened—because people can still have a rewarding experience with CRED, merely by paying their credit card bills. The ad is a wonderful mix of humour, satire, and a self-aware dig into Shastri’s party-loving image.
Why It Stood Out
This ad works because it capitalises on Ravi Shastri’s pop culture persona, something that has been extensively discussed on social media for years. His distinctive commentary style, exuberant demeanour, and post-match enthusiasm have made him a beloved yet meme-worthy figure.
It doesn’t feel forced, therefore the humour works well. CRED enhances an already-existing perception of Shastri and transforms it into an exaggerated yet plausible party scene rather than fabricating a completely new scenario. The absurd requirements for joining his party are made funnier by his deadpan delivery.
The brand integration is smooth—Shastri suggests that if people can’t join his party, they can still be rewarded with CRED. This links the premium incentives and advantages of utilising CRED with the unique, VIP experience of his parties.
Public Reaction & Viral Impact
Many people were impressed by the advertisement, especially cricket lovers. Reactions were all over social media, with many fans mockingly requesting an invitation to Shastri’s made-up party. Others began to share made-up Ravi Shastri party tales, putting their own unique twist on his legendary demeanour.
Commentary-style memes featuring “Tracer Bullet”, a phrase often used by Shastri in live broadcasts, made a comeback. Numerous admirers remarked on how CRED flawlessly portrayed his innate charm without making the commercial seem forced or over the top.
Legacy of the Ad
This advertisement reinforced CRED’s recurring strategy of fusing pop culture allusions, humour, and cricket. In an amusing and considerate manner, it capitalised on Ravi Shastri’s reputation. This advertisement adopted a more lighthearted and whimsical style, which made it approachable to younger people in contrast to standard cricket endorsements that frequently felt contrived.
Overall, the advertisement effectively combined humour, nostalgia, and astute marketing to guarantee that Shastri’s reputation as a party star would endure both on and off the field.
4. “Great for the Good” | ft. Kumar Sanu | CRED
Great for the good | ft. Kumar Sanu | CRED
Ad Summary
When CRED released its Kumar Sanu edition of their “Great for the Good” campaign, it took an unexpected but sentimental turn. Known for his catchy Bollywood songs from the 1990s, A totally different occupation—that of an insurance agent—is depicted for Kumar Sanu. The contrast between his fake work, where he insists on having his clients read insurance policy documentation line by line, and his real-life persona as a romantic singer provides the humour.
The turnabout? He must sing the terms and conditions to his clients before they will listen. Just like paying credit card bills with CRED turns a mundane chore into a fulfilling experience, their annoyance quickly converts to appreciation as soon as he begins crooning the fine print.
The unexpected benefits of adopting CRED are compared to the unexpected delight of hearing Kumar Sanu sing the fine print in the advertisement. It capitalizes on humour, nostalgia, and the ridiculousness of a legend with a golden voice dealing with something as uninteresting as insurance premiums.
Why It Stood Out
This advertisement succeeds because it plays with nostalgia. Seeing Kumar Sanu in such an unusual role instantly draws notice because he is a 90s icon. His renowned voice and his sombre, document-heavy work make for a humorous contrast.
Nobody likes to read the fine print, but if Kumar Sanu sings it, the experience is transformed. The tale is straightforward but powerful. This idea reflects CRED’s marketing messaging, which transforms the routine task of paying credit card bills into a fulfilling one.
The ad’s pacing and execution also contribute to its effectiveness. It relies only on Kumar Sanu’s presence, a deft setup, and a punchline that highlights the advantages of CRED rather than ostentatious graphics or overly wordy language.
Public Reaction & Viral Impact
This ad resonated deeply with 90s music lovers and Bollywood fans, which evoked nostalgia for a time when Kumar Sanu’s voice was the dominant voice. Reactions from fans who enjoyed the humour in the advertisement and reminisced about his old tunes were all over social media.
Imagining how various contracts, disclaimers, or user agreements might sound if recounted in Kumar Sanu’s trademark romantic voice, some users made jokes about wanting to hear him sing more legal documents. Memes were also triggered by the advertisement, with admirers jokingly claiming that Kumar Sanu could make anything sound poetry, including grocery lists and tax returns.
For many, the advertisement reinforced how CRED advertisements are not just about promoting a product but about producing unexpected yet delightful entertainment experiences.
Legacy of the Ad
This commercial demonstrated CRED’s capacity to resurrect nostalgia in novel and captivating ways. It capitalised on Kumar Sanu’s star power and the humour of the mundane chores of modern life by setting him in an absurd but realistic situation.
The ad carried on CRED’s history of reinventing celebrity sponsorships by making them more engaging than formulaic. CRED transformed Kumar Sanu into a figure that people would remember and discuss, rather than merely showcasing a famous person providing a generic testimony.
This ad, which combined humour, nostalgia, and astute branding, was another successful addition to CRED’s IPL advertising history.
5. “Gossip Girls” | ft. Ila Arun | CRED
Ad Summary
The “Gossip Girls” commercial by CRED, which stars Ila Arun, is a humorous parody of small-town gossip culture. The iconic actress and folk singer appears in the commercial in a stereotypical neighbourhood gossip session, where she and multiple other ladies react strongly when someone learns about the advantages of grabbing CRED.
Ila Arun uses exaggerated phrases like “Ahaaaa!” and “Haye Haye Chori!” as well as the entirely improvised “Oye Oye Nigodee!” as conversations progress. The way tiny communities react to shocking news, scandals, or juicy rumours is reflected in their expressions of incredulity and dramatic reactions.
The commercial satirically contrasts the surprise of learning about CRED’s benefits with the kind of response one might anticipate from a close-knit gossip group when a significant revelation rocks the community. Ila Arun’s statements are easily remembered due to their distinctive, rhythmic delivery, which further emphasises the humorous exaggeration.
The final line, “Phurrr!”, is an amusing onomatopoeia that smoothly connects the humour to the brand message by representing how quickly credit card bills vanish when one uses CRED.
Why It Stood Out
Because it appeals to familiar cultural quirks, this advertisement is successful. Most people have firsthand experience with gossip culture, particularly in Indian areas. The advertisement deftly transforms a routine situation into a fun time by putting CRED at the centre of a gossip session.
The humour is accentuated by Ila Arun’s unique voice, animated facial gestures, and dramatic emotions. Her ridiculous yet appropriate delivery sets the advertisement apart from other conventional celebrity endorsements.
The choice of catchphrases—Some entirely improvised—gives the advertisement an interactive touch. Their meanings leave the audience perplexed, which promotes participation and conversation.
Additionally, the advertisement is straightforward but quite powerful—it features excellent writing, emotive acting, and a hint of silliness that makes it very shareable—instead of complex settings or expensive effects.
Public Reaction & Viral Impact
Almost immediately, the quirky catchphrases gained popularity on social media. The internet was inundated with modified videos, GIFs, and memes that featured Ila Arun’s facial expressions. A natural buzz developed around the advertisement as many individuals started utilising the phrases in casual discussions.
The entirely spontaneous and meaningless line “Oye Oye Nigodee” was one of the most talked-about aspects. Some fans even began using it as a slang phrase online as they conjectured about its potential meanings.
A humorous explanation of each phrase and its possible applications was included in the “Definitive Guide to Ila Arun’s Catchphrases”, which CRED released to further promote participation. This increased the campaign’s viral appeal by another level.
Legacy of the Ad
This advertisement demonstrated the enduring power of humour, surprising fame, and a powerful cultural allusion. CRED continues to integrate its brand message into a broader cultural moment, in contrast to traditional advertisements that focus on highlighting a product’s attributes.
The commercial reaffirmed CRED’s distinctive strategy—making routine financial chores entertaining and interesting. It appealed to a broad audience and entertainingly conveyed the brand’s value proposition by utilising common Indian humour and exaggerated reactions.
With its blend of absurd facial expressions, extravagant acting, and viral appeal, this advertisement solidified CRED’s standing as one of the most inventive IPL advertisements in recent memory.
Conclusion for Top 5 CRED IPL Ads
CRED has perfected the art of IPL advertising by fusing nostalgia, humour, and unpredictable elements. Their advertisements are often more memorable and shareable than standard brand endorsements since they resemble entertainment segments.
In order to create a sense of surprise with each campaign, CRED places celebrities in situations that are unexpected and exaggerated. Every advertisement maintains loyalty to the brand’s eccentric personality, whether it’s Rahul Dravid’s road rage, Ravi Shastri’s private parties, or Ila Arun’s gossip drama.
Fans now look forward to CRED’s next inventive twist with every IPL season, demonstrating that effective advertising is about more than just promoting a product—it’s also about establishing a cultural moment.
