New IPL team makes tracks with principal partner

Tyre manufacturer TVS Tyres has entered into a partnership with newly-formed Indian Premier League franchise Gujarat Lions ahead of its debut season in the Twenty20 cricket competition.

TVS has agreed a deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, to become the Lions’ principal sponsor during the upcoming 2016 campaign.

The Times of India newspaper said that the company’s branding would appear on the Lions’ playing jerseys and training kits as part of the deal.

The news comes after digital payment services company Oxigen last week agreed a deal to become the main sponsor of the Lions. The deal grants Oxigen front-of-shirt advertising exposure on the playing jerseys.

Indian national team star Suresh Raina will captain the franchise, which begins its inaugural IPL season with an away fixture at Kings XI Punjab on April 11. The likes of Brendon McCullum (pictured), Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner and Dwayne Bravo will also star for the franchise.