New Delhi: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a festival of cricket, passion, and drama captivating millions every year. Beyond the roar of the crowd and the crack of the bat, there is another story unfolding—one told not in runs or wickets but in vibrant brushstrokes and canvases. This is the world of Andy Brown, the British artist who has made it his mission to capture the spirit of sport live on canvas, and whose journey has now brought him to the heart of IPL 2025 as its official artist.
Brown’s artistic journey began far from cricket grounds—in South Korea, where he lived for 10 years teaching art.
“I was always a cricket fan growing up in England, but in Korea, there was no cricket, only baseball,” he recalls. “An American friend invited me to a baseball game, and I was fascinated. Being outside your home culture makes you see your own culture differently and appreciate other cultures more deeply.”
That fascination turned into a passion. Brown began painting baseball games live, traveling across Asia and then on a massive road trip through the US and Latin America, capturing over 200 stadiums across 28 countries. His work expanded to other sports, including polo, F1, football, and eventually cricket—the sport of his childhood.
Today I leave #Mumbai for #Bangalore. Ive had a wonderful few days painting @mipaltan along with this game in #Colaba on Sunday! 🇮🇳🏏❤️
Next up-> @RCBTweets vs #dc 10th Ap@LucknowIPL vs @gujarat_titans 12th Ap@DelhiCapitals vs #mi 13th Ap
Come say hi at the stadium! 🏏🇮🇳💪 pic.twitter.com/iJ1mc1MVQa
— Andy Brown (@andybisanartist) April 9, 2025
Brown’s love affair with India runs deep. “If I were to describe India in one word, it would be ‘colourful’,” he says. “The vibrancy here is incredible. Everywhere you go, your senses are bombarded—you see so much, hear so much, smell so much. It’s non-stop, full of life.”
His first visit was over a decade ago as a tourist, but India never left his mind. “Growing up in the UK, there’s a complicated history between the two countries, but there’s also a huge Indian community in England. The food, the culture, the families keep that connection alive. Being in India is very special to me.”
‘Sweeping’ strokes
Brown’s style blends impressionism and expressionism, designed to convey the feeling of being inside the stadium rather than just the action on the field. “I want to capture the noise, the crowd, the weather, the heroes, the cheerleaders, even the man with the drums,” he explains. “It’s about the energy of the place and the moment.”
His paintings are more than portraits of players or stadiums—they are social commentaries and snapshots of time. “I’m painting the world as I see it—the people, the architecture, the culture, the atmosphere. It’s like a documentary of what it’s like to be alive now.”
Brown’s journey with the IPL began in earnest during the India-England Test series in early 2024, where he painted live at stadiums like Hyderabad and Dharamshala. It was here that he caught the attention of IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, who approached him during a match, impressed by his work.
“We met during the India-England Test series,” Brown recalls. “Mr. Dhumal introduced himself and expressed interest in my paintings. Shortly after, he invited me to paint at the IPL opening ceremony in 2024. That was a huge moment for me.”
From that initial meeting, a close working relationship developed. “We kept the conversation going,” Brown says. “I met more officials from the BCCI and IPL, and they appreciated the way I captured the emotion and atmosphere of cricket. Eventually, I was commissioned to be the official artist for IPL 2025, tasked with visiting stadiums across the country to paint live during matches.”
Huge thanks to Mr @imVkohli & @RCBTweets for their warm welcome here in #bangalore
Today I was able to present Mr #virat with the portrait I made of him this past couple of weeks.
Thanks for the support & kindness of all @IPL fans! See you at the next stadium very soon! 🏏🇮🇳🎨❤️ pic.twitter.com/BOO76LNGVE
— Andy Brown (@andybisanartist) April 11, 2025
One of the highlights of Brown’s IPL journey has been meeting the players he paints. “Virat Kohli is an icon who transcends cricket,” Brown says. “When I gave him a portrait, he was humble and welcoming. It was an honour to share that moment with him.”
He’s also built friendships with players like spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who showed genuine interest in his art during the England-India Test series. “Players appreciate seeing themselves in a different light. They know the dedication it takes to succeed, and they respect that in my work.”
Through his cricket-themed artwork, Andy has captured some of the most historic moments in the sport. His brushstrokes have immortalized India’s triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup win in Barbados, Ravichandran Ashwin’s milestone 500th wicket in Rajkot, and other iconic moments, including James Anderson’s 700th Test wicket.
2024 Highlights
The year began in India, painting the @englandcricket vs @BCCI Test series. Immersing oneself in India’s vibrant passion for cricket & culture! The highlight has to be capturing @jimmy9 historic 700th Test wicket LIVE in Dharamshala! pic.twitter.com/ueJVnOoVPs
— Andy Brown (@andybisanartist) January 23, 2025
Does Brown believe sport can be considered art? “Sport has elements of grace, poetry, drama, and passion. A beautiful cover drive or a stunning catch can be seen as art. But it’s also about the atmosphere—the crowd, the emotion, the culture. That’s where art and sport truly intersect.”
He believes his paintings enhance the sporting experience by immersing fans in the atmosphere. “Art can capture the intangible—the feeling of being there, the collective energy. It creates a deeper connection between fans, players, and the game.”
“The actual painting is just a small part of the process,” Brown explains. “There’s a lot of travel, logistics, setting up in the right spot, dealing with weather and light changes. But it’s all worth it to capture that moment.”
Brown’s journey is far from over. “I’ve done official work for baseball teams in Mexico and Great Britain, and now I want to document an IPL team fully,” he says. “Being the official IPL artist is a dream come true, but I want to go deeper, to create a lasting visual history of a franchise.”
For Brown, art and sport are inseparable. “They both tell stories about who we are, what we love, and how we come together. Painting cricket is not just about the game; it’s about capturing the human spirit.”
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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