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
Bajaj Consumer Care FY26 profit rises to Rs 193.7 crore
Revenue climbs to Rs 1,092 crore as profit grows 49 per cent YoY
MUMBAI: Hair today, growth tomorrow Bajaj Consumer Care Limited seems to have found its shine again, posting a sharp jump in profitability even as it doubled down on brand spends and expansion. The company reported a net profit of Rs 193.7 crore for FY26, marking a strong 49 per cent rise from Rs 130.1 crore in FY25. Revenue from operations also grew to Rs 1,092.2 crore, up from Rs 942.8 crore a year earlier, signalling steady demand momentum across its portfolio.
For the March quarter, profit stood at Rs 64.1 crore, compared to Rs 31.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, while revenue rose to Rs 308.3 crore from Rs 243.5 crore.
The performance came despite a notable increase in spending. Advertising and sales promotion expenses climbed to Rs 168.3 crore in FY26, up from Rs 137.8 crore in FY25, reflecting continued investment in brand building. Other expenses also rose to Rs 151.3 crore from Rs 134.2 crore, indicating a broader push towards growth.
Operating efficiency, however, held firm. Profit before tax increased to Rs 234.8 crore in FY26 from Rs 157.7 crore a year earlier, supported by disciplined cost management across materials and inventory.
On the balance sheet, the company’s total assets expanded to Rs 959.1 crore as of March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 931.9 crore a year earlier. Other equity rose to Rs 780.3 crore, reinforcing a stronger financial base.
Cash flow from operations saw a significant uptick, reaching Rs 196.9 crore in FY26, nearly three times the Rs 67.9 crore recorded in FY25, highlighting improved working capital management.
However, the year also saw aggressive capital allocation. The company spent Rs 190.2 crore on share buybacks, contributing to a net cash outflow of Rs 196.5 crore from financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents stood at Rs 6.8 crore at the end of the year, down from Rs 25.6 crore.
Even as investments in subsidiaries and assets continued, the numbers suggest a company balancing growth ambitions with shareholder returns keeping one eye on expansion and the other on efficiency.
With margins improving and revenue steadily climbing, Bajaj Consumer Care appears to be combing through the competition with renewed confidence.
