Sports
HDFC Life partners with Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2026
Insurer joins hands with popular franchise to strengthen regional connect, especially in eastern India.
MUMBAI: HDFC Life has decided to play a straight drive into the hearts of cricket fans this IPL season by teaming up with the Kolkata Knight Riders as an Official Partner. The leading life insurer announced its association with KKR for the ongoing 2026 IPL season, bringing together a brand known for financial security and a cricket franchise with a massive, passionate following, particularly across India’s eastern region.
HDFC Life, head of marketing Pritika Shah highlighted the strategic importance of the tie-up. “Given India’s diversity, we have been building our brand through culturally relevant, region-focused efforts,” she said. “This association with Kolkata Knight Riders continues that journey for us. KKR’s fantastic following gives us an opportunity to deeply connect with households across the country, especially in the East.”
Knight Riders Sports, chief marketing officer Binda Dey welcomed the partnership, noting the alignment of values. “The most meaningful partnerships are those built on shared values, and HDFC Life’s ethos of pride and respect strongly reflects what KKR stands for as a team,” she said. “Just as our fans trust us to give our all on the field, HDFC Life empowers millions of Indians with the confidence to face life beyond it. Together, we look forward to creating memorable moments that resonate deeply with fans across the country.”
Over the course of the season, HDFC Life plans to roll out a series of high-impact visibility and engagement activities across digital, social, on-ground, and other touchpoints in collaboration with KKR.
In the high-stakes world of IPL cricket, where every partnership needs to hit the right note, HDFC Life and KKR appear to have found a perfect match – one that promises both on-field excitement and off-field financial confidence for fans.
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.
