Sun Pharmaceutical Industries is stepping onto the cricket field for the first time, striking a three-year partnership with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the franchise’s Principal Sponsor and Health Partner for the IPL T20 season 2026.
The deal marks Sun Pharma’s debut in cricket sponsorship, a significant move for India’s largest drugmaker as it looks to deepen its corporate brand presence beyond hospitals and pharmacies — and straight into the heart of India’s biggest sporting spectacle.
As part of the association, Sun Pharma’s logo will take pride of place on the front of RCB’s red-and-black playing jersey, the team’s green match kit and training apparel. The partnership also brings high-impact stadium branding during RCB’s home games, ensuring strong visibility throughout the season.
"In India, cricket is more than just a sport. It is a shared emotion that unites millions across cultures and generations," said Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, adding that the collaboration with RCB reflects shared values of consistency, passion and innovation. The partnership, he said, is aimed at helping fans connect more closely with the company behind the medicines they rely on every day.
RCB, IPL’s defending champions, sees the association as more than a logo-on-jersey deal. Rajesh Menon, COO of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said the partnership would focus on fan engagement across digital platforms and match-day experiences, bringing together two brands driven by impact and innovation.
The sponsorship also builds on Sun Pharma’s recently launched corporate brand campaign, which highlights its scale and patient focus through the message of “touching 1,000 lives every minute.” By aligning with RCB, the company hopes to translate that patient-centric purpose into a broader public connection during the high-energy IPL season.
The deal marks Sun Pharma’s debut in cricket sponsorship, a significant move for India’s largest drugmaker as it looks to deepen its corporate brand presence beyond hospitals and pharmacies — and straight into the heart of India’s biggest sporting spectacle.
As part of the association, Sun Pharma’s logo will take pride of place on the front of RCB’s red-and-black playing jersey, the team’s green match kit and training apparel. The partnership also brings high-impact stadium branding during RCB’s home games, ensuring strong visibility throughout the season.
"In India, cricket is more than just a sport. It is a shared emotion that unites millions across cultures and generations," said Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, adding that the collaboration with RCB reflects shared values of consistency, passion and innovation. The partnership, he said, is aimed at helping fans connect more closely with the company behind the medicines they rely on every day.
RCB, IPL’s defending champions, sees the association as more than a logo-on-jersey deal. Rajesh Menon, COO of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said the partnership would focus on fan engagement across digital platforms and match-day experiences, bringing together two brands driven by impact and innovation.
The sponsorship also builds on Sun Pharma’s recently launched corporate brand campaign, which highlights its scale and patient focus through the message of “touching 1,000 lives every minute.” By aligning with RCB, the company hopes to translate that patient-centric purpose into a broader public connection during the high-energy IPL season.
