In India, cricket is not simply a sport; it is a feeling. A feeling that travels from the narrow streets filled with the sounds of gully cricket to stadiums across the country, where it erupts during the IPL matches. Every match played, win or lose, is a pathway to celebrate pride, passion, and history.
Every level of cricket has its own culture of recognition, and for years, the trophy was designed to recognise that journey. Here at RD Custom Awards, we have followed that journey as we create trophies to celebrate local culture and charm.
I. The Humble Beginnings: Gully Cricket and Local Matches
The journey begins on the local cricket ground. These competitions may not be televised or sponsored, but they are overflowing with emotion and pride.
When the local community plays games, the trophies are simple, yet meaningful in their design. If you are lucky, you'll even be involved, seeing a comforting congratulations trophy that is a classic metal or resin trophy based (more often than not) on the shape of a bat, ball, or stump, with all the bells and whistles.
These trophies usually have small plates attached, engraved with the (a huge 1st place getter) team name and a neighbourhood sponsor.
For the players and teammates involved in that weekend rugby match, the 5-inch cup may have felt like the World Cup for the street. As a trophy, it represents knowledge shared among friends, teamwork, and competitions played on weekends.
RD Custom Awards helps recognise this part of community participation by designing affordable, custom-designed awards for school, community and local cricket competitions. The trophy may be small in stature, but the emotional weight it carries, a whole scrapbook of memories, is absolutely priceless.
II. The Rise of Club and Corporate Cricket: Style Meets Identity
When cricket shifted from clubs, colleges, and corporate environments, trophies began to change as well. Today, with company leagues and inter-department tournaments, cricket is part of the workplace culture.
At this level of trophy design, style and identity are combined. More often than not, you will see variable designs that allow for company logos, personalisation of player names and the event name. Materials such as glass, acrylic and 3D-printed pieces give the prize a modern, sleek design.
Visualise a trophy for a “Battle of the Departments” shaped like a cricket bat with the company logo in the centre. It immediately conjures the idea of competition and company pride.
At RD Custom Awards, we often work with organisations to design trophies that celebrate team wins and represent their brand personality and team culture.
III. The Big Stage: State and National Leagues
When the most prestigious state and national-level trophies are involved in the development of cricket, these prizes change from a symbolic item to a true demonstration of achievement. Events attract sponsors, media coverage and excited fans from near and far.
The design assemblies of the trophies grow in scale, and designs increasingly use sculpted forms to express movement, energy, and prestige. Metal and crystal are often used to enhance the visual effect.
Certain design ideas are informed by cricketing icons or regional art (e.g., a trophy shaped as a ball splintering stumps to represent a moment of breakthrough performance, or a trophy with a state emblem to evoke pride in your local region).
At this level, a trophy is more than a keepsake; it's a legacy the players and teams want to lift.
IV. The Pinnacle of Prestige: IPL and Global Cricket Awards
In the IPL or international cricket, the winning team receives a trophy that symbolises greatness. Each crease, colour, and ribbon has meaning. These trophies are artistically crafted, gold-plated, and built with high-quality metals.
Creating a trophy involves collaboration with experts from a creative team, the organiser's side, and the brand. The result is a trophy that will become a piece of cricket history, something players have always wanted to hold up high.
At RD Custom Awards, our premium cricket trophies have been previously influenced by such well-known designs recognised globally. Our aim is to capture that feel and pride in our designs for larger-tier tournaments.
V. The Design Evolution: What’s Changing in Modern Cricket Awards
Modern cricket trophies are no longer just decorative; they tell stories. Several new trends are shaping the way awards are designed today:
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Personalisation: Every player or team gets a uniquely engraved name or logo.
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Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials and wooden finishes are becoming popular.
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Regional Influence: Cultural touches, like Kerala’s boat-inspired designs or Rajasthan’s royal themes, make trophies more meaningful.
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Technology Integration: Laser etching, 3D printing, and LED lighting add innovation and flair.
In today’s world, trophy design blends creativity with storytelling, making each piece a representation of effort, emotion, and excellence.
VI. Designing for Every Level: RD Custom Awards’ Perspective
At RD Custom Awards, every cricketer, from street-side-street-champions to league winners and everything in between, deserves a trophy that represents their journey.
Our team puts the same care and love into designing a gully cricket-themed cup as we do into creating a national championship trophy. For us, each match has an associated story worth celebrating.
We are also proud of our location trophy series featuring places like Dubai, Goa, and Kochi. Each series captures the local design ethic from wherever it originates.
VII. Conclusion: One Game, Many Stories, One Spirit
From casual neighbourhood matches to world tournaments, every cricket trophy symbolises stories of commitment, collaboration, and dreams achieved.
From a simple wooden cup to a golden work of art, every cricket trophy represents emotion, effort, and pride.
At RD Custom Awards, we are excited to produce designs that highlight more than the win, but the true character of cricket, because every cricketer has a path worthy of celebration.
