New Delhi, September 24th, 2026 :
Ai+ Smartphone in a landmark moment today has announced its partnership with
the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the upcoming India tour of New Zealand
spanning across T20Is, ODIs and Tests which will feature a total of 12 matches
starting October 22,2026.
The partnership comes at a significant moment
in India-New Zealand sporting relations, with 2026 marking 100 years of
sporting ties between the two countries. The India tour forms a key part of
New Zealand’s ‘100 Years of Unity through Sport’ celebrations, which bring
together multiple sporting disciplines across the year.
As a part of the partnership Ai+ Smartphone
will have an integrated presence across the series, giving the brand an
opportunity to engage with cricket audiences across all three formats and
throughout the 12-match tour. The association brings together AI+’s focus on
technology and performance with one of the most anticipated international
cricket properties of the New Zealand summer.
For Ai+ Smartphone, the partnership builds on
the brand’s ambition to create stronger connections with consumers through
high-relevance cultural and sporting platforms. Cricket, with its deep audience
connection in India and its ability to bring together technology, entertainment
and shared experiences, provides a natural extension of the brand’s
communication platform.
Archi Gogoi, Head of Brand, Marketing &
Growth, Ai+ Smartphone, said, “Cricket is more than a sport in India; it is
a shared cultural experience that brings together audiences across generations and
geographies. Our partnership with New Zealand Cricket around India’s 12-match
tour gives Ai+ an opportunity to participate in one of the most anticipated
sporting moments of the year while building relevance for the brand beyond the
smartphone category. Technology and sport share a common language of
performance, innovation and constant evolution, and this partnership allows us
to bring that connection to life in a meaningful way. The significance of this
tour is further amplified by the 100-year celebration of sporting ties between
India and New Zealand, making it an exciting platform for Ai+ to engage with
audiences across both markets.”
Lokesh Sharma, Managing Director, TCM said,
“This partnership brings together a fast-growing consumer technology brand
and one of the most significant bilateral tours on the international calendar.
Our role with New Zealand Cricket has always been to build relevant commercial
partnerships around its cricket, and we are pleased to have enabled AI+
Smartphones’ association with this series. The scale of the tour, combined with
the centenary year, makes it an especially strong platform.”
Geoff Allott, CEO, New Zealand Cricket, said, “India’s
tour is one of the major highlights of our home season, and with 12 matches
across three formats, it gives our partners a strong and sustained platform. We
are pleased to welcome AI+ Smartphone as the ‘Powered By’ Partner and look
forward to working together across what will be a significant series for New
Zealand Cricket.”
Beginning October 22, 2026, India will
take on the BLACKCAPS across five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, with
matches being played across five major centres in New Zealand. With 12 matches,
the tour is the largest inbound international tour in New Zealand Cricket’s history
by match count.
The tour’s opening match will be played in
Christchurch on October 22 with the first of two T20Is at Hagley Oval,
before moving through Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga for the
remainder of the white-ball series. The two-Test series will conclude the tour,
with the second Test scheduled at Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.
The partnership has been stitched by TCM Sports, New Zealand
Cricket’s exclusive naming-rights and on-ground partner. TCM has been
associated with NZC since 2019, working with the board on commercial
partnerships and sponsorship opportunities around its international cricket
properties. The association adds another high-impact sporting platform to Ai+
Smartphone’s growing brand journey as it continues to build relevance with
consumers through technology, culture and shared experiences.