The Indian tyre manufacturer, Balkrishna Industries (BKT), has deepened its commitment to women’s cricket after being appointed official tyre partner of all five franchises for the 2026 season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Under the agreement, BKT has partnered with Mumbai Indians Women, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, Delhi Capitals Women, Gujarat Giants Women, and UP Warriorz, marking one of the most comprehensive multi-franchise commercial partnerships in the league’s history.
The partnership will deliver extensive on-ground and digital visibility for BKT throughout the WPL season. Brand presence will include LED perimeter advertising, static in-stadium assets, and integrated fan engagement initiatives, alongside digital activations across franchise-owned platforms to ensure sustained exposure beyond matchdays.
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT, said, “BKT aligns with sporting platforms that embody equality and inclusion, promoting a positive impact on people and sport enthusiasts. Joining forces with teams competing in India’s premier women’s T20 championship builds on BKT’s established presence in cricket globally and strengthens our portfolio of strategic sporting relationships. Through these partnerships, we aim to play a meaningful role in supporting a high-performance platform that celebrates excellence and resilience and contributes positively to the continued evolution of women’s cricket in India.”
Rajesh Menon, Chief Operating Officer, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, added, “We are delighted to partner with BKT Tyres, a brand that shares our commitment to excellence, inclusion and the continued growth of women’s cricket. Their strong global association with sports and belief in high-performance platforms make them a valuable partner for us. We look forward to a meaningful and successful association.”
Sunil Gupta, CEO, Delhi Capitals, continued, “We’ve shared a strong association with BKT Tyres in the past through our IPL team, and it is encouraging to see them now extend their footprint into the WPL. BKT’s long-standing involvement across multiple sports and leagues globally reflects its belief in building the sport in a meaningful way. Along with supporting the continued growth of women’s cricket, we see this as a strong commercial partnership that creates shared value and long-term opportunities for both brands. We are looking forward to a fruitful association.”
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline (Gujarat Giants), shared, “We are delighted to partner with BKT Tyres, a globally recognised brand with a strong presence across multiple sports and leagues worldwide. Their deep-rooted association with sport, along with a clear focus on performance and excellence, makes this partnership a natural fit. We look forward to building a meaningful and impactful association and exploring the opportunities this collaboration will unlock both on and off the field.”
Kshemal Waingankar, COO, UP Warriorz, said, “At UP Warriorz, we believe that building a strong women’s sporting ecosystem requires partners who share our values and long-term vision. BKT Tyres’ commitment to women’s cricket and its association across all teams in the league is a powerful endorsement of the growth and potential of the women’s game in India. We are delighted to welcome BKT Tyres as our Official Tyre Partner and look forward to working together to further strengthen opportunities, visibility, and excellence in women’s cricket.”
Mumbai Indians Spokesperson concluded, “BKT Tyres has been an integral partner of the Mumbai Indians for five years, and we are proud to now bring that spirit of collaboration to the women’s game. This partnership reflects our ‘One Family’ commitment to parity and performance. We’ve grown together for half a decade, and we are ready to bring that same belief and energy to this new chapter.”
The agreement reflects BKT’s increasing focus on women’s sport as a long-term growth platform, as the WPL continues to attract rising viewership, sponsor interest and mainstream relevance. By partnering with franchises across multiple regions, the company gains broad geographic reach and deeper engagement with diverse fan bases.
BKT already maintains a strong presence across cricket properties globally, including longstanding associations within the Indian Premier League. Its expanded involvement in the WPL further positions the company as a consistent, long-term partner within the cricket ecosystem, while underscoring the accelerating commercial momentum behind women’s professional cricket in India.
