Uber India has cleverly hitched a ride on the IPL fever and made quite the splash with a campaign that’s anything but ordinary.
Promoting its popular bike taxi service, Uber Moto, the brand delivered a total banger, thanks to Australian cricketer Travis Head.
Shedding his usual composed, sporty persona, Head transforms into the cheeky ‘Hyderabaddie’, channeling full South Indian film vibes in sync with his IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and pants, with a bold red handkerchief, chunky gold chains (one flaunting the word ‘baddie’), a flashy gold watch, and classic black shades—Head looks every bit of the typical anti-hero from South films.
He doesn’t utter a single word. Yet, his exaggerated expressions and antics steal the show, landing laughs with zero dialogue.
The campaign, created by FCB India, leans into Head’s Aussie swagger and places it against Hyderabad’s vibrant, high-energy backdrop.
A genius move
Now, what could’ve been just another predictable IPL ad featuring yet another cricketer becomes a standout moment in marketing.
It taps into the cultural chemistry between cricket and comedy, while making Uber Moto feel both accessible and entertaining.
Casting Travis Head is a genius move—he’s not just the man of the match, but also the meme king of the moment. His ongoing rivalry with Indian bowlers and his powerpack batting against blue jersey has got the Indians talking about him now more than ever.
Beyond the clever casting, the campaign embraces a raw style which caters to Gen Z. It launches with a punchy musical teaser that perfectly sets the tone for the anti-hero’s dramatic arrival.
Posted in collaboration with Travis Head, the video has clocked nearly 44 million views on Instagram—and the internet is absolutely loving it.
Fans have even dubbed him “Travesham”, capturing his playful villain energy.
The comments section is buzzing with praise: “Best video I’ve seen on the internet today”, “What is it with Aussies and Hyderabad??”, “Vibes on vibes on vibes”, “Headmaster is here”, and the ever-relatable, “Why is this so good?”
Naturally, viewers are drawing parallels between Head and David Warner, another Aussie who famously fell in love with South Indian cinema during his Sunrisers Hyderabad days (2014–2021).
One fan even quipped, “Warner’s got serious competition now.”
Cheeky follow-up
Uber didn’t stop at one ad film.
Following the teaser, the campaign unfolds through a series of quirky films featuring Travis Head and his gang of ‘Baddies’ pulling off playful pranks on rival cricket teams.
In one clip, Head sneaks into a stadium ahead of a Bengaluru vs Hyderabad match. Armed with a spray can and a partner-in-crime, he transforms the signage from “Bengaluru vs Hyderabad” to “Royally Challenged Bengaluru vs Hyderabad.”
He is able to pull off these mischievous stunts and elope effortlessly, thanks to Uber Moto, giving the brand a perfect opportunity to spotlight the service’s speed, convenience, and reliability in a way that’s both fun and unforgettable.
The video has amassed over 54 million views on Instagram.
With its highly shareable content, the campaign has turned out to be a hit.
Because it not only creates buzz but also builds a memorable, culturally relevant connection with its consumers—ultimately driving awareness about Uber Moto.
Views are personal.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)