The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has signed an agreement with Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL) that sees its Killer brand becomes the supplier of equipment for the national teams.
The Indian apparel brand replaces Mobile Premier League (MPL) Sports, which has been appointed as the BCCI’s technical partner since 2020, after the gaming company opted to end its deal a year early. The Killer fashion brand will fulfill the remainder of MPL’s contract, which runs until the end of 2023.
In a statement shared by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI), the national cricket body said, “BCCI received an email communication from MPL Sports on [2nd December 2022] looking for complete assignment (equipment and merchandising) with full value to Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited.’
The situation has complicated the kit situation for India’s national teams, with the women’s under-19 team currently competing in the Twenty20 World Cup while wearing MPL-branded kit and the men’s national team wear team clothing with the former partner’s logo.
This was noted in the BCCI statement, which continued: “With the upcoming women’s home series and visiting schedule, it was suggested that the current arrangement should not be hampered as it involves performance teams for in the national selections.
‘We have asked MPL esports to continue the partnership at least until [March 3rd 2023] or look for a partial mission that includes only the appropriate chest logo but not the kit manufacturing agreement.’