VMPL
New Delhi [India], August 26: In a significant development for India's growing participation in the international cricket business, BHARTAM Holdings Pvt. Ltd. has been formally authorized by Innovative Production Group FZ LLC (IPG Group), UAE, to identify and introduce prospective investors, sponsors and strategic partners for international cricket leagues, sports properties and related commercial opportunities.
The authorization has been issued through a formal Letter of Authorization / Business Representation - Investor & Strategic Partner Representation, dated August 21, 2026, and signed on behalf of IPG Group by Mr. Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, Chief Executive Officer, Innovative Production Group FZ LLC.
Under the authorization, BHARTAM Holdings will operate on a non-exclusive basis to identify prospective investors, sponsors and strategic partners, introduce them to IPG and facilitate initial business discussions relating to international cricket properties, sponsorships, investments and other commercial opportunities.
Three International Cricket Properties Covered
The authorization specifically covers three major cricket properties:
- Lanka Premier League (LPL) - Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe Premier League / Zimbabwe T20 - Zimbabwe
- Malaysia Premier League / Malaysia T20 - Malaysia
The mandate gives BHARTAM Holdings the opportunity to explore business and investment possibilities across multiple international T20 cricket properties rather than being limited to a single league.
The Lanka Premier League remains one of the key properties associated with IPG's international cricket portfolio. IPG has described itself as the official rights holder of the LPL for the 2020-2029 period, while corporate disclosures identify the group as being involved in league management, rights and production activities.
Zimbabwe T20 Emerges as Key Opportunity
Among the cricket properties covered under the authorization, the proposed Zimbabwe T20 League (ZT20) is being viewed as an emerging opportunity in the African cricket market.
Public corporate disclosures state that IPG holds long-term rights for the Zimbabwe T20 Cricket League under an agreement with Zimbabwe Cricket, covering areas such as league management, broadcasting, sponsorship and franchise rights.
Plans have been outlined for a professional franchise-based Zimbabwe T20 competition, tentatively targeted for October-November 2026. However, the final launch and format of the competition will depend on definitive agreements, regulatory approvals, venue availability, player participation, financing and other operational requirements.
The proposed league is expected to combine Zimbabwean and international cricket talent and is being positioned as a sports, media and sports-tourism property with potential reach across Africa, Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Investment and Sponsorship Opportunities
Through its authorization from IPG, BHARTAM Holdings will work towards connecting Indian and international business groups, investors, family offices and brands with potential commercial opportunities associated with these cricket properties.
Potential areas of engagement include:
- Team and franchise ownership
- Strategic investments
- Title sponsorship
- Team sponsorship
- Jersey and branding rights
- Stadium and ground branding
- Media and digital partnerships
- Corporate hospitality
- Merchandising and licensing
- Brand promotion
- Strategic commercial partnerships
The initiative could provide Indian businesses with an opportunity to expand their international brand visibility while gaining exposure to emerging cricket markets.
IPG's Expanding International Cricket Network
IPG Group, headquartered in the UAE, operates across sports marketing, league management, sponsorship and production. Its international portfolio and expansion plans include cricket properties such as the Lanka Premier League, Malaysia T20 and Zimbabwe T20, along with other sports and media initiatives.
In 2026, IPG also became part of the broader Flash Sports & Media platform. Flash has positioned IPG as an in-house rights, league-management and production engine, with plans to expand professional T20 cricket into emerging markets including Malaysia, Singapore and Zimbabwe.
The development reflects the growing commercial focus on taking professional franchise-based T20 cricket into new international markets.
Authorization Clearly Defines BHARTAM's Role
The authorization letter issued on August 21, 2026, clearly states that BHARTAM Holdings has been appointed on a non-exclusive basis to identify, introduce and facilitate discussions with prospective investors, sponsors and strategic partners.
However, the authorization does not empower BHARTAM Holdings to enter into agreements on behalf of IPG or create any legal or financial obligation for the group.
Any investment, sponsorship, commercial arrangement or other transaction will remain subject to IPG's prior written approval.
The authorization is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, unless revoked earlier by IPG in writing.
India-UAE-Africa Cricket Business Corridor
The appointment has the potential to create a new commercial bridge between India, the UAE and emerging African cricket markets.
With BHARTAM Holdings operating from India and IPG maintaining an international cricket and sports-media network from the UAE, the arrangement is aimed at facilitating business discussions with Indian corporate houses, investors and brands looking to gain exposure to international sports properties.
The proposed Zimbabwe T20, in particular, could provide Indian investors with a potential entry point into Zimbabwe's developing franchise-cricket and sports-entertainment ecosystem.
Anil Mohan Sankhdhar Signs Authorization
The authorization has been signed on behalf of Innovative Production Group FZ LLC by Anil Mohan Sankhdhar, Chief Executive Officer.
Sankhdhar is associated with the leadership of IPG and the group's international sports and cricket initiatives. Under the current arrangement, IPG's international rights and league-management network will be complemented by BHARTAM Holdings' efforts to identify potential investors, sponsors and strategic business partners in India and other markets.
New Avenue for Indian Businesses
The BHARTAM Holdings-IPG arrangement comes at a time when T20 cricket is expanding beyond traditional cricketing markets. New franchise leagues are creating opportunities not only for players and broadcasters but also for investors, brands, media companies, hospitality businesses and strategic partners.
For Indian businesses, the potential opportunity extends beyond conventional advertising and sponsorship. Participation could include franchise ownership, strategic investment, brand integration, media partnerships, hospitality and international business development.
The proposed Zimbabwe T20 League remains subject to definitive agreements, approvals and other implementation requirements. Nevertheless, IPG's reported long-term commercial rights and international cricket portfolio provide a potential platform for developing new India-Africa sports-business opportunities.
The authorization of BHARTAM Holdings by IPG Group therefore represents a new step towards connecting Indian investors, corporate groups and brands with emerging international T20 cricket properties and creating new avenues for investment, sponsorship and strategic partnerships in the global sports business.
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