Ahead of the upcoming home season of the Indian team, the BCCI was approached by kit manufacturers MPL Sports about assigning their kit and merchandise rights to a third party despite their contract being valid till December 2023.
On December 22, 2022, MPL sports, who replaced Nike in November 2020 as the kit sponsors and manufacturers, wrote to the BCCI, wanting to assign their rights to Kewal Kiran Clothing Limit (KKCL) for the remainder of their contract.
However, BCCI had suggested to MPL to continue the association atleast until March 2023 citing the packed home calendar for India men’s team and the away calendar of the women’s team as well. Or it was suggested that MPL finds some partial arrangement for the right chest logo.
"BCCI received an email communication from MPL sports on 2.12.2022 seeking a complete assignment (team + merchandising) at full value to Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited, a fashion wear brand, for the period from 1.12.2023 to 31.12.2023.
With the upcoming back-to-back home series and the women's away calendar, it was suggested that the current arrangement should not be hampered as it involves performance gear for the national teams. We have asked MPL sports to continue the association at least until 31.3.2023 or look for a partial assignment that would involve only the right chest logo but not the kit manufacturing agreement," a BCCI note read as per PTI reports.
Seemingly, MPL Sports has given the right for the chest logo on the Indian team kit to Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL) which owns the brands like Lawman PG3 jeans, Killers jeans, and other such names.
This was evident from the jersey which was donned by Indian cricketers during a photoshoot ahead of the upcoming white ball series against Sri Lanka.
In a photo shared by Yuzvendra Chahal before the T20I series begins on January 3rd, he along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik and Mukesh Kumar are seen donning the India T20I kit with ‘Killer’ logo on the right-hand side on the chest.
Check it out here:
