Muthoot Fincorp has acquired the title sponsorship rights for Indian cricket for the next two home seasons, Cricbuzz understands.
The title sponsorship, referred to as ‘Blue Muthoot’ according to sources, is understood to have been negotiated at the base price of INR 4.85 crore per match. There are also suggestions that the final price could be lower than the base price, although clarity is expected once the BCCI formally announces the deal.
The announcement of the new title sponsor had been delayed by a lack of serious bidders for the rights. Industry sources attributed the lack of interest, in part, to the high base price. IDFC First Bank, the outgoing title sponsors, had been paying INR 4.2 crore per match.
Had there been a competitive bidding process, the title sponsor would have been decided on August 13, the deadline specified in the BCCI’s Invitation to Tender (ITT). With no bidders emerging, however, the BCCI entered into negotiations with prospective parties, with Google Gemini, IDFC First Bank, Spinny and SBI Life among those reportedly approached.
SBI Life eventually signed up as an Associate Partner of the BCCI, alongside Campa and ChatGPT. The three companies have signed agreements for a two-season period, commencing with India’s home series against the West Indies and running through March 2028.
Owned by the Kochi-based Muthoot family, Muthoot Fincorp will hold the title rights for all international and domestic matches played in India until March 31, 2028. The deal will cover approximately 35 home internationals during the period, including 10 Tests, 12 ODIs and 13 T20Is.
The partnership will take effect immediately and will be reflected in the ODI series against the West Indies, beginning on September 27. Coincidentally, the series will get underway in Muthoot’s home state of Kerala, with the first ODI scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram.