A broad-based team partnership strategy is shaping BKT Tyres’ next phase of growth in India, with the company significantly expanding its presence across the IPL ecosystem ahead of the 2026 season.
The Balkrishna Industries-backed brand has secured Official Tyre Partner status with eight of the league’s ten franchises, positioning itself as one of the most widely integrated commercial partners in the competition.
Eight-team strategy signals scale of IPL investment
The expanded portfolio includes Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants, marking a near-league-wide footprint.
The addition of Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season takes the total from seven to eight teams, reinforcing a strategy built on scale, visibility, and sustained fan engagement across multiple markets.
For BKT, the IPL serves as a central platform to accelerate its entry into India’s consumer tyre segment, extending beyond its established presence in off-highway categories such as agriculture, construction, and mining.
Brand strategy aligned with consumer expansion
At the core of the activation is the company’s ‘Elevate Your Drive’ campaign, designed to position BKT Tyres within the personal mobility space.
Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director at BKT, said, “Partnering with sporting institutions has always been central to BKT’s philosophy of Growing Together with communities. Cricket is one of the most influential cultural forces in India, uniting people across geographies, generations and backgrounds. Our continued partnerships as the Official Tyre Partner under the BKT Tyres brand allow us to connect with audiences in a meaningful way while strengthening our presence in the tyre segment. Through this association, we will further amplify our ‘Elevate Your Drive’ campaign featuring Ranveer Singh across broadcast and digital touchpoints, bringing the campaign’s message of ambition, progress and forward momentum to millions of viewers. These collaborations reflect our commitment to building long-term relationships founded on teamwork, performance and shared aspirations.”
The partnerships are structured to deliver visibility across broadcast, in-stadium branding, dealer networks, grassroots initiatives, and digital fan engagement, creating multiple touchpoints for consumer interaction.
Franchise alignment reflects shared performance focus
From a team perspective, the partnerships are positioned around shared values of performance, growth, and long-term alignment.
Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer of Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “BKT Tyres is not just a partner they are a brand that shares our relentless pursuit of performance. This renewed association is a testament to the trust we have built together and the ambition we carry forward. As BKT accelerates its growth in India’s consumer market, the Knight Riders brand gives them the platform, the passion, and the global scale to make that journey count. At Knight Riders Sports, we do not build partnerships for visibility alone we build them for impact. This collaboration is precisely that: two performance-driven organisations, aligned in purpose, investing in a future they intend to win together.”
At Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the partnership is seen as an extension of brand philosophy alignment. Rajesh Menon, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said, “Royal Challengers Bengaluru is proud to welcome BKT Tyres as our Official Tyre Partner. At RCB, we believe in pushing boundaries, embracing ambition, and creating meaningful connections with our fans, values that closely align with BKT’s ‘Elevate Your Drive’ philosophy. Together, we aim to accelerate our shared vision of excellence, resilience, and forward momentum both on and off the field.”
Long-term partnerships underpin continuity
Several teams highlighted the continuity of their relationships with BKT, with partnerships spanning multiple seasons.
Alok Chitre, Chief Operating Officer of Rajasthan Royals, said, “We are delighted to partner with BKT Tyres for the sixth year, with a shared energy and drive for performance that continues to strengthen our association. Their commitment to sport, and cricket specifically, reflects a clear focus on the growth of the game and its fan ecosystem in India. As we advance in scale and influence, we look forward to building on this partnership in a meaningful way this year as well.”
A Mumbai Indians spokesperson added, “BKT Tyres has been a valued long-term partner of Mumbai Indians, and this continued partnership reflects a shared commitment to consistency and performance. We look forward to building on this partnership through the season.”
Expanding engagement across teams and markets
Other franchises pointed to the role of such partnerships in strengthening fan engagement and commercial growth.
Colonel Arvinder Singh, Chief Operating Officer of Gujarat Titans, said, “Gujarat Titans are pleased to continue the association with BKT Tyres. Partnerships like these reflect a shared commitment to performance, consistency and long-term growth. Such collaborations provide a strong platform for teams and brands to connect with fans across the world, and we look forward to building on this association while continuing to engage meaningfully with our supporters and striving for excellence both on and off the field.”
Satish Menon, Chief Executive Officer of Punjab Kings, said, “We are very happy to continue our journey with BKT Tyres. They have been a loyal and valued partner for the Punjab Kings over the years. Their commitment to excellence matches our ambitions, and it is always a pleasure to work with a brand that understands the pulse of the sport and its fans so well.”
At Lucknow Super Giants, the focus remains on long-term brand synergy. Vinay Chopra, Chief Executive Officer of RPSG Sports Private Limited, said, “At Lucknow Super Giants, we believe that strong partnerships are built on shared values of performance, resilience, and ambition. Our association with BKT Tyres reflects this synergy, as both brands are committed to pushing boundaries and consistently striving for excellence. As we gear up for another exciting season, we look forward to engaging our fans more deeply and creating meaningful experiences together through this partnership.”
Meanwhile, K Shanmugam, Chief Executive Officer of Sunrisers Hyderabad, said, “We are happy to continue our partnership with BKT Tyres as part of this T20 cricket league. This collaboration reflects a strong alignment of values, bringing together a shared focus on excellence, performance, and consistency. Together, we move forward with clear intent, committed to raising standards both on and off the field, while delivering a meaningful and engaging experience for fans.”
IPL central to BKT’s global sports strategy
The IPL partnerships form part of a wider global sports portfolio for BKT, which spans multiple leagues and competitions across football, basketball, rugby, and motorsport.
With operations in over 160 countries and a product portfolio exceeding 3,600 SKUs, the company is leveraging sport as a key vehicle for brand positioning and market expansion.
As BKT deepens its footprint across the IPL, the eight-team strategy reflects a clear shift toward consumer-facing growth — using cricket’s scale and cultural reach to embed the brand within one of the world’s most commercially powerful sporting ecosystems.
