Cricket: Broadcasting, Governance & Commercials
- Free-to-Air Mandate for Team India: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a fresh notification under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act of 2007. Superseding the previous 2022 directive, this order classifies all Team India cricket matches as sporting events of national importance, explicitly mandating free-to-air broadcast access via Prasar Bharati.
- Spinny Secures T20I Title Rights: Used-car retailing platform Spinny has expanded its sports marketing portfolio by acquiring the title sponsorship rights for the two-match T20 International series between India and Ireland.
- Assam Premier League Unveiled: Further expanding India’s robust domestic T20 ecosystem, the Assam Cricket Association has officially launched the Assam Premier League (APL).
- KSCA Leadership Disqualification: In a major administrative development, BCCI Ombudsman Justice Arun Mishra has disqualified Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Santosh Menon, citing that his tenure exceeded the maximum limits permissible under current cricket administration regulations.
- Cricinfo Rebrands: In a notable digital sports media shift, ESPNcricinfo has reverted to its legacy identity, dropping the “ESPN” prefix to operate simply as Cricinfo.
Corporate Moves & Brand Endorsements
- Leadership Exit at Dream11: Vikrant Mudaliar has officially stepped down from his position as Chief Marketing Officer at Dream Sports, the parent company of fantasy gaming giant Dream11.
- Metro Brands Bolsters Sports Division: Footwear major Metro Brands has appointed Manoj Juneja as the new Chief Business Officer for its dedicated Sports Division. Juneja brings extensive industry experience, having previously served as the Country Manager for Crocs.
- Candere Signs Smriti Mandhana: Fine jewellery brand Candere has announced Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana as its newest brand ambassador.
- Sanju Samson Backs EL Sol Power: Adding another endorsement to his growing off-field portfolio, Indian cricketer Sanju Samson has been named the brand ambassador for EL Sol Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Olympic Sports, Motorsport & Global Events
- IOC Extends 2036 Olympics Timeline: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the host city for the 2036 Olympic Games will not be selected until 2029. This extended timeline provides a strategic advantage for India to further strengthen and structure its official hosting bid.
- Hero MotoSports Expands Dakar Commitment: Celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Dakar Rally, Hero MotoSports has signed a five-year extension of its partnership with the grueling endurance event. Additionally, the manufacturer launched the “India’s Next Dakar Hero” grassroots program and signed rising racing talent Shlok Ghorpade to its factory team.
- Motorsport Meets Global Fashion: In a unique crossover between Indian racing and international retail, Formula 4 racer Kareen Kaur has secured a partnership with the Charles & Keith Group.
Football, Tennis, Squash & Niche Sports
- Durand Cup Dates Locked: The 135th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest existing football tournament, is scheduled to take place from July 25 to August 23, maintaining its historic prominence on the Indian football calendar.
- John Abraham Invests in ETPL: Bollywood actor and sports entrepreneur John Abraham has acquired co-ownership of the Rotterdam Dockers, a franchise competing in the Emerging Teams Premier League (ETPL).
- Delhi HC Mandates AITA Elections: In a move aligning with India’s broader push for sports governance compliance, the Delhi High Court has directed the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to amend its constitution and conduct fresh elections by September 30, 2026.
- ASICS Backs Indian Tennis Grassroots: Japanese sportswear giant ASICS has forged a strategic partnership with the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy, signaling a strong corporate investment in the grassroots development of Indian tennis.
- Renault Drives Wimbledon on JioHotstar: French automaker Renault has signed on as the Co-Presenting Streaming Partner for Wimbledon on the JioHotstar platform, highlighting a surge in brand interest for premium sports streaming inventory.
- Mumbai to Host PSA Challenger: The Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana (JVPG) Club in Mumbai is set to host the PSA Challenge Tournament from June 29 to July 3, 2026. The prestigious squash event features separate men’s and women’s competitions, each carrying a USD 15,000 prize purse.
- Bridge Development MoU: JKC Sports has entered into a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bridge Federation of India, aiming to promote and develop the mind sport across the country.