KRAFTON India Announces Major Collaboration with Chennai Super Kings for BGMI
In a significant move for the gaming industry, KRAFTON India has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with the iconic cricket franchise Chennai Super Kings, set to be integrated into BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) as part of the upcoming 4.3 update. This collaboration, announced today from Bengaluru, Karnataka, is scheduled to go live on March 21, 2026, marking a fusion of cricket fandom and mobile gaming that promises to redefine fan engagement.
Exclusive Content and Innovative Features
The BGMI 4.3 update will introduce a range of exclusive Chennai Super Kings-themed elements designed to immerse players in the spirit of the franchise. Players can look forward to two standout items: the Thala Legacy Set, a unique outfit, and the Thala Monster Truck, a vehicle skin, allowing them to showcase their team loyalty directly in the battleground.
A First-of-Its-Kind Addition: Central to this collaboration is the debut of dedicated Chennai Super Kings Photo Booth Points of Interest (POIs) across popular maps like Erangel and Livik. This marks the first time such Photo Booth POIs have been implemented in BGMI, enabling players to interact with virtual representations of Chennai Super Kings players and capture memorable in-game moments, elevating the fan experience beyond mere cosmetic enhancements.
Insights from Key Executives
Seddharth Merrotra, Head of Business Development and Partnerships at KRAFTON India, emphasized the significance of this partnership. He stated, "Chennai Super Kings boasts one of the most passionate fan bases in global cricket, while BGMI engages one of India's most active gaming communities. Our goal was to create a meaningful crossover that resonates deeply with both groups, not just as a visual update but as a genuine celebration of shared enthusiasm. The Photo Booth POIs exemplify this vision, offering an unprecedented in-game experience for BGMI players."
KS Viswanathan, Managing Director of Chennai Super Kings, added, "Our franchise has always maintained a strong bond with its supporters. By bringing this connection into BGMI, we provide fans with a novel platform to express their team pride, blending the excitement of cricket with the thrill of competitive gameplay."
Strategic Timing and Cultural Impact
Launching just ahead of the 2026 cricket season, this integration positions BGMI as a parallel fan engagement platform for India's mobile-first generation. It aims to extend cricket fandom beyond traditional venues like stadiums and television screens into the digital battlegrounds of gaming. With cricket deeply ingrained in India's cultural fabric and gaming rapidly gaining mainstream popularity, this partnership opens new avenues for fans to demonstrate their loyalty in innovative ways.
The collaboration also highlights BGMI's evolving role as a hub where gaming culture intersects with sports fandom, fostering new formats of participation and engagement for India's digitally savvy audiences. This move underscores the growing trend of esports and mobile gaming as key components of modern entertainment and community building.
About KRAFTON and Its Global Presence
Headquartered in Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is a leading game publisher established in 2007, dedicated to delivering captivating and unique gaming experiences. The company operates a global network of 21 creative studios, including PUBG Studios, Bluehole, and RisingWings, among others. KRAFTON is renowned for premier game IPs such as PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, and Subnautica, and is committed to leveraging innovative technologies like AI to enhance gameplay.
In India, KRAFTON manages popular mobile games like BGMI, which has surpassed 260 million downloads, along with titles such as Bullet Echo India and Road To Valor: Empires. The company has invested over $170 million in Indian startups since 2021, focusing on interactive entertainment, gaming, esports, and technology. Through initiatives like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI) and flagship esports events like BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA SERIES (BGIS), KRAFTON actively supports and strengthens India's gaming ecosystem.
