Muthoot Fincorp has acquired the title sponsorship rights for Indian cricket for the next two home seasons, marking a new commercial partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
According to reports, the agreement will cover India’s international and domestic matches played at home until March 31, 2028. The sponsorship is expected to begin with India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
The partnership is reportedly being referred to as “Blue Muthoot”, although the BCCI is yet to make a formal announcement confirming the deal and its final financial terms.
Muthoot Fincorp Set to Replace IDFC First Bank
Muthoot Fincorp will take over from IDFC First Bank, which previously held the title sponsorship rights for Indian cricket.
The outgoing sponsor had been paying around INR 4.2 crore per match under its agreement with the BCCI.
Muthoot Fincorp’s deal is understood to have been negotiated around a base price of INR 4.85 crore per match. However, there are reports that the final amount could be lower than the quoted base price.
The exact commercial details are expected to become clearer once the BCCI officially announces the agreement.
Lack of Bidders Delayed the Announcement
The appointment of the new title sponsor took longer than initially expected because the BCCI reportedly struggled to attract serious bidders for the rights.
Industry sources suggested that the relatively high base price was one of the reasons for the lack of interest.
Under the original Invitation to Tender (ITT), a competitive bidding process would have resulted in the title sponsor being decided on August 13.
However, with no significant bids emerging by the deadline, the BCCI moved towards direct negotiations with potential partners.
Several companies were reportedly approached during this process, including Google Gemini, IDFC First Bank, Spinny and SBI Life.
The negotiations eventually resulted in Muthoot Fincorp securing the title sponsorship rights.
SBI Life, Campa and ChatGPT Join as Associate Partners
While Muthoot Fincorp is set to become the title sponsor, the BCCI has also added new associate partners to its commercial portfolio.
SBI Life eventually signed an agreement to become an Associate Partner, joining Campa and ChatGPT.
The three companies have reportedly signed agreements covering a two-season period. Their association will run alongside India’s home cricket calendar from the series against the West Indies through March 2028.
The expansion of the sponsorship portfolio gives the BCCI multiple commercial partners across different categories while Muthoot Fincorp occupies the prominent title sponsorship position.
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Deal Covers Around 35 Home Internationals
The Muthoot Fincorp partnership will cover India’s home international and domestic matches during the agreement period.
The rights are expected to include approximately 35 home internationals, consisting of:
- 10 Tests
- 12 ODIs
- 13 T20Is
The arrangement will remain in place until March 31, 2028, covering India’s home fixtures during the two-season period.
The title sponsor’s branding is expected to be visible across India’s home international cricket during the partnership.
Partnership Begins in Kerala
The timing of the new sponsorship has an interesting connection with Muthoot Fincorp’s roots.
The partnership will come into effect immediately and will be visible during India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies, which begins on September 27.
The opening match of the series is scheduled to take place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Kerala is the home state of the Muthoot family, which owns Muthoot Fincorp, making the first match under the new sponsorship particularly notable for the company.
The partnership will therefore make its debut in the same state where the business has its roots.
What the New Deal Means for Indian Cricket
Title sponsorship is one of the BCCI’s major commercial properties and provides brands with extensive visibility during India’s home matches.
For Muthoot Fincorp, the partnership provides an opportunity to associate its brand with the Indian cricket team’s international fixtures over the next two seasons.
For the BCCI, the agreement brings clarity to one of its key commercial properties after a period in which the title sponsorship market had reportedly attracted limited interest.
The reported base price of INR 4.85 crore per match is higher than the INR 4.2 crore per match paid by IDFC First Bank, although the final value of the new agreement remains subject to formal confirmation.
Formal Announcement Awaited
While the details of the agreement have emerged, the BCCI is yet to formally announce the final deal and its commercial terms.
The exact value of the contract will therefore remain unclear until the board confirms the agreement.
For now, Muthoot Fincorp is set to begin its association with Indian cricket when the West Indies arrive for their ODI series, with the first match scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27.
The partnership is expected to continue through March 2028 and cover a busy period of India’s home international cricket calendar.