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New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has bagged a whopping Rs 270 crore sponsorship deal from Google’s AI platform Gemini for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Gemini makes a blockbuster entry into the cricketing arena ahead of IPL 2026 and follows the suit of rival ChatGPT, which is one of the sponsors of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL).

“The deal is for three years and reinforces IPL’s global appeal,” a BCCI official told PTI.

The new deal happened months after BCCI partnered with Apollo Tyres to sponsor the national jersey in a lucrative Rs 579 crore deal. The Indian Cricket Board was forced to look for a new jersey sponsor last year when the Indian government banned real-money gaming platforms like Dream11.

AI’s growing involvement in Indian cricket

Tata Group has the title sponsorship rights for the IPL, the world’s most lucrative T20 league.

The deal with Gemini showcases the growing involvement of AI platforms in Indian cricket.

While announcing ChatGPT’s association with WPL, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia highlighted the significance of the partnership.

“From global leaders in AI, manufacturing and beverages to trusted Indian consumer brands, this partnership mix will play a critical role in shaping the fan experience and supporting the growth of women’s cricket,” he had said.

The IPL 2026 will be held for more than two months between March 26 and May 31. The 19th edition of the world’s most popular cricket league will witness several teams with new combinations and ambitions. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will enter the T20 extravaganza as the defending champions, having broken the trophy jinx with their maiden title on their 18th attempt.

However, RCB’s title celebrations spiralled into chaos and crisis as a tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy stadium claimed the lives of 11 RCB fans.

(With PTI Inputs)