Brands
Generali sponsors Italy’s debut at men’s T20 World Cup 2026
HONG KONG: Generali has stepped onto the cricket pitch, throwing its weight behind Italy’s national team as it prepares for its first-ever appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be held across India and Sri Lanka.
The Asian arm of the Italian insurance giant has signed on as sponsor for Italy’s historic debut at the tournament, which runs from 7 February to 8 March and features 20 international teams competing every two years.
The partnership marks a milestone moment for Italian cricket, which has steadily built its global presence before finally breaking into one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Generali asia regional officer Rob Leonardi, said the sponsorship reflected both the growing profile of the Italian team and the prominence of cricket across the region.
“With cricket playing such an important role in this dynamic part of the world, Generali is proud to support Italy’s debut in the T20 World Cup,” he said, adding that the national side had made “great strides” in establishing its international reputation.
Italian Cricket Federation president Maria Lorena Haz Paz, described the collaboration as both symbolic and strategic.
“Strengthening our partnership with Generali, an Italian brand of outstanding international stature, is a source of pride for the entire Italian cricket movement,” she said. “It supports our team at a historic moment and reflects a shared vision of growth and long-term development.”
Italy will compete in Group C, alongside Scotland, England, Nepal and West Indies, with matches split between two of India’s most iconic venues: Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Their group fixtures include:
9 February 2026 – Italy vs Scotland, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
12 February 2026 – Italy vs Nepal, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
16 February 2026 – Italy vs England, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
19 February 2026 – Italy vs West Indies, Eden Gardens, Kolkata
The tournament will offer Italy a global stage at grounds synonymous with cricket history, adding to the significance of their maiden World Cup campaign.
Generali’s association with Italian cricket is not new. The group was among the federation’s earliest partners, backing the sport during its formative years in Italy. The latest sponsorship signals a continuation of that relationship, now playing out on the world’s biggest cricketing platform.
Founded in 1831, the Generali Group is one of the world’s largest integrated insurance and asset management players, operating in more than 50 countries. In 2024, it reported premium income of €95.2 billion and assets under management of €863 billion, serving 71 million customers globally.
The Italian Cricket Federation, established in 1980 and affiliated with the International Cricket Council, oversees the sport’s development across Italy. Its qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup marks the most significant achievement in the country’s cricketing history, following years of grassroots expansion and competitive restructuring.
Brands
Hyundai launches updated Ioniq 5 with 84 kWh battery, 690 km range
Priced at Rs 55.7 lakh, adds design, tech and safety upgrades.
MUMBAI: Charge it up, stretch it out, Hyundai’s latest electric upgrade is going the distance, quite literally. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has introduced an updated version of its Ioniq 5, packing in a larger 84.0 kWh battery that delivers a claimed range of up to 690 km (ARAI-certified), marking a significant leap in everyday usability for its flagship electric SUV.
Built on Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the refreshed IONIQ 5 aims to balance performance with practicality, reducing range anxiety while making long-distance electric travel more viable. The upgrade builds on a model that has already secured global recognition, including the World Car of the Year title.
The changes aren’t just under the skin. On the outside, the SUV gets a sharper, more futuristic look with redesigned front and rear bumpers, new skid plates, sporty alloy wheels, a revised rear spoiler and updated V-garnish lighting, all while retaining its signature Parametric Pixel design.
Inside, Hyundai has focused on making the experience more intuitive. The cabin now features a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel with illuminated pixel elements, dual 12.3-inch displays, and a reworked wireless charging pad integrated with physical controls for seat functions small tweaks that aim to improve day-to-day usability.
On the tech front, the IONIQ 5 gets Hyundai’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), Controller Over-the-Air (C-OTA) updates, and now supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. New additions such as Active Sound Design and in-car payment integration for EV charging reflect a push towards a more seamless, connected ownership experience. Remote immobilisation via Bluelink has also been introduced as an added security layer.
Safety sees incremental upgrades too, with features like Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (Rear) and side parking distance warnings enhancing manoeuvrability in tight urban spaces.
The updated IONIQ 5 is available in four colour options Gravity Gold Matte, Midnight Black Pearl, Titan Grey and Optic White with an Obsidian Black interior theme.
Priced at Rs 55.7 lakh (ex-showroom), the new IONIQ 5 positions itself as a more rounded offering, less about futuristic promise, and more about making electric mobility fit seamlessly into everyday life.
