MUMBAI: Balkrishna Industries has entered into sponsorship agreements with seven teams in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. BKT Tires will be the official tire partner for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the league. The season marks BKT’s first collaboration with Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the second consecutive partnership with the remaining six teams, following IPL 2020.

Balkrishna Industries joint managing director Rajiv Poddar said, “We are elated to be a part of this huge cricketing event that is known to bind our entire nation, for yet another season, after key-collaborations with the biggest global leagues. As the premier league returns this year to India, we are sure that this will be a time of growing greatly together, as we all unite to celebrate one of the most popular sporting events of our times.”

Indian multinational group Balkrishna Industries Ltd (BKT Tires) is a global player in the off-highway tire market. However, the tie-up with IPL is not its first partnership with sports leagues. The company has been a known supporter and follower of sporting events all over the world, courtesy its associations with a variety of games, be it cricket, football, or kabaddi. 

It has been the official and exclusive tire manufacturer for American motor show Monster Jam since 2014 and has also been the title sponsor of several European football competitions.

In India, the tire brand had a partnership with eight out of twelve teams of the Pro Kabaddi League in the 2019 season. IMG Reliance is the exclusive sports consulting agency for BKT in India.