Sports
Historic T20 win brings historic payout: India’s Rs131 crore cash bonus for champions
BCCI rewards players, coaches, and support staff following India’s third T20 World Cup triumph on home soil.
MUMBAI: The Indian cricket team may have just finished sprinting between wickets, but they are now racing all the way to the bank. Following their historic triumph at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a staggering cash reward of Rs 131 crore for the victorious squad.
It appears that in India, when it rains sixes, it pours riches. Just two days after Suryakumar Yadav’s men dismantled New Zealand in a high-octane final at Ahmedabad, the BCCI decided to ensure the players’ bank balances looked as impressive as the scoreboard.
This isn’t just a “well done” handshake. The Rs 131 crore bounty marks a record-breaking payday, surpassing the Rs 125 crore handed out after their 2024 success. This latest windfall celebrates a hat-trick of sorts: India has become the first nation to win three T20 titles, the first to successfully defend the crown, and the first to lift the trophy on home soil.
The mountain of cash is set to be shared among the 15-man squad, including the final’s standout performer Sanju Samson, whose 89 runs helped set a record-breaking target. However, the generosity does not stop at the boundary rope. The coaching staff, led by Gautam Gambhir, along with the support crew and the national selectors, will all receive a slice of this very lucrative pie.
On the pitch, India’s performance was nothing short of clinical. They posted a mammoth 255 runs before Jasprit Bumrah did what he does best, leaving the New Zealand chase in tatters. Off the pitch, the rewards are equally clinical. Alongside this BCCI bonus, the team also pockets a cool $3 million in official prize money from the ICC.
While cricket is often called a gentleman’s game, it is clearly becoming a wealthy one too. For the players who spent the last month under immense pressure, the weight of the trophy is now being matched by the weight of their wallets. As the celebrations continue across the country, one thing is certain: it pays to be a world champion.
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.
