The two big Cs of Piyush: Cricket and Creativity

Piyush was a man defined by two big Cs which is Cricket and Creativity. In his early days, it was cricket that consumed him; later, it was creativity that captured his imagination. Yet, through all the changes in his life, he carried both passions in his heart with equal intensity.

Much has already been said and written about Piyush’s pioneering role in Indian advertising about how he transformed the language of communication, infused it with emotion, and gave brands a soul. He redefined not just how advertising looked and sounded, but how it felt. More importantly, he gave Indian advertising a global identity and a uniquely Indian voice that the world began to recognize and respect for the last many decades.

But behind that creative genius was also a sportsman and a cricketer whose love for the game shaped his discipline, teamwork, leadership, and competitive spirit. Those early lessons from the pitch and the cricket maidans strengthened this foundation in his professional career.

A Cricketer from the Heartlands

Piyush’s cricketing journey began in Jaipur, where he played for his school and college team. He was known as a dependable wicket-keeper batsman and very  agile behind the stumps and graceful with the bat. His talent and temperament soon took him further, and he went on to represent Rajasthan in the prestigious Ranji Trophy in the 70s.

Later, while pursuing his studies at St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, Piyush continued to play the game at the highest collegiate levels. He represented Delhi University and the North Zone in the Rohinton Baria and Vizzy trophy tournaments that was  popular in the 1970s and was the true testing and proving grounds for the best young talent in Indian cricket. Those who saw him play remember not just his skill, but his calm focus and natural leadership on the field.

For Piyush, cricket wasn’t merely a game, it was a way of life. It taught him strategy, resilience, team spirit and the importance of reading the situation before making a move. All these qualities helped him in his professional approach in advertising.

From the Pitch to the Boardroom

Even after Piyush’s life turned toward advertising, his passion for cricket never faded. In fact, he continued to play competitive matches for decades. At Ogilvy, where he built a legendary career, he also built a formidable cricket team where he was the only professional cricketer but built a team and encouraged the rest of the eleven to play with passion and love.

It was said that Piyush not only captained the team but was it was his spirit be it batting, bowling, or fielding and leading from the front that won matches for Ogilvy.  His colleagues often joked that while the team had eleven players, it was Piyush who held it all together with strategy, wit, and was quiet by pushing everyone to perform with in their own limitations.

He played for Ogilvy’s cricket team well into the late 1990s, long after many would have hung up their pads. But he could have continued played further but his busy travel schedule and meetings never permitted him any time for every Saturday matches. Though he could not play he kept encouraging the boys and that alone spoke volumes about his enduring love for the game. But more than that, it showed his belief that cricket like advertising was about teamwork, creativity under pressure, and the joy of a shared win.

Lessons from the Game

Having played alongside greats like Hanumanth Singh and Kapil Dev, Piyush absorbed and learnt lessons that would influence not just his style of play but his entire worldview. He often drew parallels between cricket and advertising, using one to illuminate the other. These came to him very naturally.

He would say that in cricket, you have to read the pitch like just as in advertising, you have to read the consumer and both of them is art and you need that instinct to read it. The conditions change, the opposition changes, and what worked yesterday might fail today. Success depends on how quickly you adapt.

To him, both cricket and advertising demanded the same qualities: preparation, instinct, and teamwork. He believed that, just as a captain must trust his fielders, a creative leader must trust his team. His cricketing anecdotes peppered with humour and insight always became a part of Ogilvy’s culture, inspiring countless young professionals who hung on to every word.

Leadership Beyond Boundaries

Piyush’s leadership, both on the field and in the office, had one defining trait and he always led from the front. He didn’t just direct; he actively participated. Whether it was a tense over on the field or a high-stakes in a client pitch, he was right there in the thick of it, setting the tone and showing how it was done.

That blend of humility, confidence, and composure made him not just a respected leader but a beloved one. His colleagues recall how he could make complex decisions seem effortless, how he could ease tension with humour, and how he always managed to bring out the best in his team.

In many ways, his creative philosophy was a continuation of his cricketing instinct: play with passion, respect your teammates, study your field, and always keep your eye on the ball.

A Legacy of Passion and Purpose

From the cricket grounds of Jaipur and Delhi to the creative corridors of Ogilvy, Piyush’s journey was a rare blend of talent, curiosity, and heart. The same discipline that helped him face fast bowlers helped him handle tough deadlines. The same joy he found in hitting a cover drive shone through in his finest advertising work.

He never really left the game he just changed his field. And in doing so, he taught everyone around him that the rules of excellence are universal: love what you do, give it your all, and never stop playing.

Piyush’s story is not just about two Cs Cricket and Creativity but it is about a third one that defined him quietly yet profoundly: Character.