Bajaj Allianz returns to IPL as Mumbai Indians sponsor

This would be the insurer's second innings as IPL sponsor, after being a founding sponsors of Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2008

Private sector insurer Bajaj Allianz may soon join the corporate bandwagon sponsoring IPL, an annual 20-20 cricket extravaganza, as a principal sponsor of the Mumbai Indians team.      

This would be Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance's second innings as a sponsor in the Indian Premier League (IPL), after being one of the founding sponsors of the Rajasthan Royal team during the first IPL tournament in 2008.      

While a spokesperson for Bajaj Allianz declined to comment on its sponsorship association with Mumbai Indians, sources said that the deal for the insurer joining as a principal sponsor of the team is in the final stages.      

Mumbai Indians, which boasts of players like Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Rohit Sharma, recently announced that Ricky Ponting would lead the team in the sixth edition of IPL tournament beginning on April 6.          

Beverage giant Pepsi is the title sponsor of IPL this year, while its official partners include Vodafone, Star Plus and YES Bank.     

The first match of Mumbai Indians would be against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 4. Mumbai Indians has Videocon d2h as its team sponsor, while DHFL and Bridgestone are associate sponsors.      

The insurer, which is joint venture between domestic financial services firm Bajaj Finserv and German major Allianz SE, is also working on an aggressive campaign across the country to tap on its association with Mumbai Indians.      

One of India's top five life insurers, Bajaj Allianz has been associated with football since 2009. Through its Junior Football Camp, Bajaj Allianz conducts young talent hunt in football across the country and sends selected children to Germany for training with FC Bayern Munich coaches.