The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners, Mumbai Indians (MI) have reaffirmed their place as one of India’s most lucrative cricket teams, entering the 2026 season with over 30 corporate partnerships and a sponsorship pool that has risen by 20% year on year.
This season, MI gained 10 new partners and five new brand categories, cementing its position as the bar for commercial excellence in Indian sports. MI’s varied portfolio includes brands in aviation, AI, technology, dental care, drinks, mobility, and lifestyle, demonstrating the company’s broad consumer reach. With a brand built on success, stability, and a sizable fan base, the five-time winners have secured a number of high-value advertising partnerships this season. Let’s take a closer look at the impressive sponsorship portfolio that backs one of the most renowned teams in IPL history.
A Mumbai Indians Spokesperson said, “Mumbai Indians isn’t just a cricket team — it’s a platform that brands choose to tell their biggest stories. Year after year, the most ambitious brands trust MI to connect them with millions of fans, authentically and at scale. The 2026 season again is proof that trust is only deepening.”
Let’s take a look at the sponsors of MI:
Principal Partners:
Lauritz Knudsen: Lauritz Knudsen is a prominent Indian brand that specialised in electrical and automation solutions. Formerly known as L&T Switchgear, the firm revealed its new identity in May 2024, indicating a huge rebranding campaign. Under the Lauritz Knudsen brand, the company continues to focus on low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) products while expanding into renewable energy and e-mobility offerings. Their goods serve a wide range of industries, including infrastructure, construction, housing, and agriculture. With a 70-year history, Lauritz Knudsen strives to redefine excellence in India’s electrical environment via innovations designed and manufactured in India.
DHL Express: DHL, a German logistics firm created in America, offers express mail, package delivery, and courier services. The firm pledges to send over 1.8 billion goods annually and operates in over 220 countries. The corporate logo appears on the back of both the training and playing jerseys.
Associate Sponsor:
Malaysia Airlines: Malaysia Airlines tops this season’s new roster, marking the airline’s first sports partnership in India, and its entry through MI demonstrates the franchise’s value as a conduit for global businesses. Mumbai is a significant market for Malaysia Airlines, and MI’s genuine relationship to its fans made it the obvious choice. Malaysia Airlines is completely controlled by the Malaysian government through the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), which also handles regional airlines such as Firefly. The brand is most recognised for its “Malaysian Hospitality” service concept, which seeks to represent Malaysia’s culture and diversity via the onboard experience.
Jio: Jio, an Indian telecom provider, already spans all 22 telecom circuits with its LTE network and plans to link the whole country with its superfast 4G and 5G networks.
Skechers: Skechers, a well-known American footwear firm, has solidified its place as one of the world’s leading athletic shoe manufacturers, providing a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children, including sneakers, boots, sandals and performance shoes.
Astral Pipes: Astral Pipes provides the greatest plumbing and drainage systems for homes and companies, such as CPVC piping systems for industrial use, column and pressure piping systems for agricultural uses, and conduit pipes for residential and commercial use.
Other Partners:
Mumbai Indians have also expanded their commercial environment with a varied mix of global and domestic businesses, confirming their position as a culture-first sports franchise.
A stronger cooperation with Google results in increased fan engagement through solutions like Flex by Google Pay, Google Search AI, and Gemini, which drive more immersive digital storytelling experiences. While Ai+ Smartphone has become the official smartphone partner, KT Men has been onboarded as the official partner.
Moreover, Colgate returns to the MI ecosystem, emphasising long-term brand trust and consistency with category leaders. This season’s new additions are Budweiser 0.0, Avon Cycles, and Oaksmith, which expand the franchise’s partner portfolio.
Mumbai Indians’ approach continues to promote long-term value, with historical partners such as Usha International and Balkrishna Industries (BKT) retaining relationships that stretch over five years, indicating continued advertiser trust.
Collaborations like Netflix, Pokémon, Plum, and Big Ant Studios help the brand stay relevant to young culture and entertainment.
Driving direct-to-fan commerce, businesses such as Plum and Colgate plan to sell co-created goods exclusively on the MI Shop, while Avon Cycles will also release MI-inspired gear, increasing fan interaction and revenue prospects.
MI have teamed with New Era in the leisure and retail segments, while Real Cricket and Toytonics have extended their presence in gaming and collectibles.
Merchandise Partner/Licensees:
Chupps, EcoNama, Cricket Icons, Hex4Fun, Parksons Cartamundi, Rapoo, and Real Cricket are the brands that are included in this category.
