Brands
Utkarsh Bank partners Mumbai Indians for T20 League 2026
Banking brand eyes wider reach through cricket’s biggest stage
MUMBAI: Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited is stepping onto cricket’s grand stage, announcing a partnership with Mumbai Indians as its official banking partner for the T20 League 2026 season.
The tie-up marks a strategic play by the bank to widen its national footprint, tapping into cricket’s unmatched fan base to build stronger connections with customers across India.
Senior leadership from both sides attended the announcement, including Govind Singh, managing director and chief executive officer, alongside Sarjukumar Pravin Simaria, chief financial officer, and Sourabh Ghosh, head consumer banking at the bank.
For Govind Singh, the partnership goes beyond visibility. He noted that aligning with a franchise known for performance and fan engagement reflects the bank’s ambition to strengthen relationships with customers while amplifying its presence on one of India’s most celebrated platforms.
The Mumbai Indians camp echoed similar enthusiasm, highlighting shared values around performance, customer focus and inclusivity. The franchise said it looks forward to building a meaningful and engaging partnership with the bank.
As part of the association, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank plans to roll out integrated marketing initiatives and on-ground activations throughout the season, using the tournament’s energy to connect with a wider and more diverse audience.
In a country where cricket often doubles up as a cultural glue, the partnership is a reminder that for brands, the boundary rope is just the beginning.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
