Sports
Alstone named Official Cladding Partner of Punjab Kings for IPL 2026
Premium exterior cladding brand strengthens its cricket association strategy with third IPL tie-up.
MUMBAI: Alstone is clearly aiming to build stronger walls both on the field and in the minds of cricket fans by teaming up with Punjab Kings this IPL season. India’s leading premium exterior cladding brand has announced its association with Punjab Kings as the Official Cladding Partner for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League. This marks Alstone’s third engagement with India’s biggest cricketing platform, underlining its continued strategy of leveraging high-impact sporting events to boost brand visibility and national connect.
Having previously partnered with a Bengaluru-based franchise, Alstone has now aligned with Punjab Kings, a team known for its fearless gameplay, high energy and passionate fan base. The collaboration brings together Alstone’s progressive brand philosophy and the dynamic spirit of the Kings.
Through the partnership, Alstone plans to roll out a mix of integrated marketing initiatives, creative campaigns and on-ground activations during the season. The focus will be on deeper engagement with channel partners and end consumers while reinforcing its leadership in the premium cladding segment.
Speaking on the association, Mr Sumit Gupta, Managing Director of Alstone, said: “Our partnership with Punjab Kings for the 2026 season is a reflection of Alstone’s evolving brand journey with cricket. This platform represents scale, influence and cultural relevance at an unmatched level. Punjab Kings, with their passion and energy, perfectly mirror the values we stand for innovation, performance and consistency.”
Saurabh Arora, Chief Commercial Officer of Punjab Kings, added: “We’re happy to have Alstone come on board as our Official Cladding Partner for the 2026 season. It’s always great to work with brands that are growing strongly across India. We’re looking forward to building this partnership together and creating meaningful engagement for fans.”
With over two decades of industry leadership, Alstone offers a diverse portfolio including Fire Retardant Composite Panels (FRCP), Metal-based High-Pressure Laminates (HPL), Aluminum Honeycomb Panels, Metal Louvers and Zinc Composite Panels (ZCP) in collaboration with VMZINC, France.
As the IPL continues to deliver massive viewership and engagement, Alstone’s tie-up with Punjab Kings highlights the brand’s commitment to bold, memorable brand-building in one of India’s most vibrant sporting arenas.
In the high-stakes world of T20 cricket, where boundaries are smashed every match, Alstone is making sure its brand presence is equally solid and eye-catching.
Sports
After Virat Kohli’s exit, One8 Commune Bengaluru shuts down
Outlet near Chinnaswamy closes amid rent row, compliance issues mount
BENGALURU: The One8 Commune outlet near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has shut down following a court order, bringing a turbulent chapter for the high-profile dining destination to a close.
The immediate trigger was a legal dispute over unpaid dues. The outlet, operated by Trio Hills Hospitality, had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for nearly six months. Including maintenance charges and revenue share commitments, the outstanding amount is said to have crossed Rs 2 crore. A Bengaluru civil court subsequently directed the closure of the premises until all financial obligations are cleared.
The shutdown comes months after Virat Kohli, whose brand name lent the outlet its identity, had already distanced himself from the Bengaluru franchise. According to reports, concerns around repeated compliance-related issues prompted his team to withdraw the association. The removal of the One8 branding is believed to have impacted footfall, further straining the business.
The outlet had also faced regulatory scrutiny over the years. In 2024, authorities booked the establishment for operating beyond the 1:00 am curfew. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued notices over missing fire safety clearances, while an FIR was filed for violating tobacco regulations by not providing a designated smoking zone under applicable laws.
In response to the closure, the brand maintained that the issue stemmed from building-level compliance responsibilities linked to the property owner rather than operational lapses on its part. It also denied that financial default was the primary reason, reiterating that customer safety remained a priority.
For now, the shutters remain down. While a reopening is theoretically possible if disputes are resolved, the absence of Kohli’s brand association makes a return under the One8 banner increasingly unlikely.
