Deccan Chargers:Deccan Chargers have taken the second edition of DLF Indian Premier League by storm, winning each of their four starts so far. While there can be no taking away from the competitive showing by skipper Adam Gilchrist and his team, the question that begs to be asked is: Did their fortunes change because the team embraced a new logo? The new logo is a charging bull and its tagline reads 'The Unstoppables'.
"The use of the bull in the logo is all about 'In-the-face' attitude," said Percept D'Mark COO Sanjay Kakkar. K Factor Communications founder Shivjeet Khullar agreed. "They are revealing the muscle power and strength they possess to go ahead," he said. "The logo has classical elements such as the crest, stripes and a serif font set, employed intelligently to form a contemporary design which can find its origins in the logos of European football teams."
It is a good wager that the logo is the first image that springs to your mind - and we are not talking about the cricketers who form the side - when you think of a team in the IPL. The design experts will have us believe that the use of logos defines a team in metaphorical terms. So here is a look at what the logos of the other IPL teams signify.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: The team name could well be inspired by a 1980s American TV show. And its logo design features an angled and golden-colored Viking helmet against a black backdrop. The team also has a mascot named Hoog Lee, a lazy Royal Bengal Tiger,
"The word 'Riders' suggests that they'll be hunting together in a pack and want to be seen as premium fighter," said Khullar. "Helmets are usually perceived in silver or bronze colour but the use of golden basically depicts the spirit of winning."
Kakkar digs into history to reiterate that the Viking helmets, sign of 18th and 19th century England aristocracy, shows the courage of warriors to ride like a storm and throw out the opponents.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: The name 'Super Kings' is drawn from a brand from the India Cements group, which owns the team. The team logo is a lion, the insignia of the Pallava dynasty.
"They seem to have designed the logo to reflect a very ferocious approach. The play of light and shade on the lion depicts the intention of taking the enemy by a surprise," said Shivjeet Khullar.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: The logo is a simple and elegant design consisting of the initials 'RC' written in gold in a classical typeface, and encircled by the team name with the crest of Royal Challenge, one of the team owner Vijay Mallya's top-selling liquor brands
"A combination of class, elegance and etiquette are evident in the logo. A gentleman takes challenges courageously and maintains the Royal legacy of accepting challenges," Kakkar said when asked to comment on the look and feel of the logo.
MUMBAI INDIANS: The logo has the Sudarshana Chakra with the team's name engraved. Sudarshana Chakra is a sharp-edged weapon associated with Vishnu in Hindu mythology.
"The dark blue-colored text, used in a smart custom-made font, has been used as the colour of choice by all Indian national sports teams since independence," Kakkar said. But Khullar was unimpressed. "The logo seems flat in its approach, there are no dimensions; and the choice of colours is not up to the mark," he said.
DELHI DAREDEVILS: The fiery logo features a cricket ball and the team name
"The thing that comes to mind when I see the logo is of the cricket ball going ballistic," said Kakkar. "The art style has been heavily inspired by modern grunge art." Khullar, on the contrary, said the logo reflected Delhi Daredevils' desire to take daring, calculated risk.
KINGS XI PUNJAB: Let us listen to co-owner Preity Zinta speak excitedly about the logo. "Our logo has two roaring lions and symbolises not only the spirit of Punjabis but also represents Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh, who was the first to lead an Indian cricket team in Lord's in 1911," she says, pointing out that the letters 'KJHPH' represent Kashmir, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. The two lions also allude to the famous phrase 'Sher-e-Punjab' (Lions of Punjab), testifying testifies to the bravery and tenacity of the people.
Khullar said the KXIP logo is very smart and is his favorite since it contains both elements -defensive and attacking attitude. "It is a combination of classical logotype elements such as the crest and banner, along with a modern layout and typeface to create a unique hybrid," he said.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: The logo is a royal medallion with the letters 'RR' inscribed and has lions, blowing horns, on the flanks.
Khullar said the logo displayed pride, historically associated with the Rajputs. "The lions reflect royalty, might and raw power and have a very dramatic announcing approach," he said.
Talking about the lions blowing trumpets, Kakkar said long horns were historically associated with the Rajputs.
"They signify a call to war and a roaring sound which strikes fear in the opposition's hearts," he said.
