ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board and ITW-Techfront, the commercial rights holder for the series, announced today that Seagram’s Royal Stag as the title sponsor of the upcoming Test Series between West Indies and India. The other marquee sponsor for the four-match rubber is Karbonn Smartphones.

The tour will be known as the Segram’s Royal Stag Cup — powered by Karbonn Smartphones. The first Test bowled off on Thursday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua. The other matches are: at Sabina Park, Jamaica (July 30 to August 3); at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia (August 9 to 13) and at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad (August 18 to 22).

“We are delighted to welcome Seagram Royal Stag and Karbonn Smartphones as the two main sponsors for this prestigious four-match Test Series. Sponsorship is a major part of sports at all level, and we are pleased to attract these two new partners to the game in the West Indies as we host our visitors from India,” said Nelecia Yeates, Commercial Manager of the WICB.

“There is a rich history of Test cricket between these two great cricket nations – dating back to the 1940s – and we have seen some fantastic cricket from many great men in over seven decades. This series is also expected to produce some fantastic entertainment on and of the field.”

Commenting on the brand’s association with the series, Raja Banerji, Assistant Vice President (Marketing), Pernod Ricard India said: “Royal Stag has always been associated with India’s biggest passion – Cricket. The Royal Stag Cup West Indies vs India will definitely strengthen engagement with our audience.  The Royal Stag Cup has two young teams facing each other and along with the nation, we look forward to watching them compete in the purest form of the game.”

M.S. Muralidharan, Director, ITW- Techfront said: “We have always believed in ideas that eschew convention and that is how we continue to offer the best value to our clients. Having Royal Stag Mega Cricket and Karbonn Smartphones associate with the series would definitely substantiate our objective to help brands draw higher visibility and recall in domestic and off-shore markets, while at the same time, contributing to the larger good for the game in the Caribbean especially for the fans. We appreciate the belief WICB has instilled in us for years. The long standing association has been a sheer privilege and will only get better as we move along.”

The first Test match between West Indies and India was played in Delhi in November, 1948. Before the start of this series the teams played 90 Test matches: West Indies have 30 wins, India 16 wins, with 44 draws.