- Tuesday, March 11, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday (5) announced that Mastercard has got the title sponsorship for all its cricket matches — international and domestic — to be held in India. It replaced Paytm after the digital payments firm reportedly withdrew from its deal with the Indian board earlier this year.
Mastercard will hold the sponsorship for the 2022-23 season.
In a statement, the BCCI said, “It will be the title sponsor for all international matches (both women and men) held on home ground, domestic cricket matches like Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Ranji Trophy organized by the BCCI as also all junior cricket (Under 19 and Under 23) matches held in India.”
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said he was looking forward to the association.
“The BCCI welcomes Mastercard as the Title Sponsor for home cricket matches for the 2022-23 season,” he said.
“Along with the international home series, the BCCI’s domestic tournaments are crucial as they are a steppingstone towards making India a strong international side. The BCCI truly values Mastercard’s support in building Indian cricket. This sport is more than a passion point, it’s a way of life and we look forward to some innovative experiences for the fans via this partnership and deliver value to Mastercard through this collaboration,” Ganguly, a former India captain, added.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah was also hopeful about the association saying it will prove to be an enriching partnership.
“The BCCI is pleased to associate with a global marquee brand – Mastercard. We are in for an exciting period in Indian Cricket as we have Australia and South Africa coming over for white-ball series before the T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy early next year while domestic cricket has a packed calendar with the return of the Duleep Trophy and a full-fledged Ranji Trophy season. The 2022-23 season will witness a lot of action across age groups and I am confident that this will be an enriching partnership,” he said.
Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer and president, Healthcare business, Mastercard, said on LinkedIn, “I am delighted to announce that Mastercard will be the title sponsor for all home cricket matches organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for Cricket in India this season. Growing up in India, cricket was an integral and a passionate part of my childhood. I have many fond memories of time spent listening to radio commentary with friends and family or playing cricket on the streets (gully cricket!?). So, this announcement is extra special for me! Mastercard is all about creating experiences that are Priceless – and with cricket’s incredible popularity not just in India, but worldwide, this collaboration is a perfect example of how we are connecting people to their passions. We look forward to bringing our brand to life for millions of cardholders, as well as our customers and partners, over the next few months.”
Mastercard is associated with sponsorships worldwide, including in marquee properties such as the UEFA Champions league, the Grammys, the Cannes Film Festival and tennis tournaments such as the Australian and French Open.
Former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been Mastercard’s ambassador for over four years now, said he was thrilled that mastercard was sponsoring all the home matches of the BCCI, especially domestic, junior and women’s cricket.
