Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways and Jet Airways are continuing their sponsorship as Official Airline partners and principal sponsors of defending champions Mumbai Indians at this year’s Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket tournament.

The partner airlines are lending support for the third year running to one of the most successful franchise teams in the IPL and one of India’s biggest sports brands since the tournament was launched in 2008. Mumbai Indians feature some of the sport’s biggest names.

The team is captained by Indian batsman Rohit Sharma and coached by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Star players in this year’s squad include Indian spin bowler Harbhajan Singh, Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson, England wicketkeeper Joss Buttler and West Indies’ Lendl Simmons, who won the ICC T20 World Cup with his national team in India last week.

The tournament coincides with the May 1 debut of Etihad Airways’ long-awaited Airbus A380 on one of its thrice-daily Abu Dhabi — Mumbai flights, operating as a codeshare service with Jet Airways, and featuring The Residence — the world’s first three-room suite on a commercial airliner.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Etihad Airways has a great sporting tradition, supporting leading teams around the world. Mumbai Indians are no exception. We are delighted to team up with our Indian partner Jet Airways to once again sponsor Mumbai Indians, arguably the best domestic sporting brand in Indian cricket.

“As defending champions of the Vivo Indian Premier League T20, Mumbai Indians have given cricketing fans around the world some great entertainment over the years and we look forward for success to be repeated at this year’s tournament. Fans attending matches or watching in their millions on TV around the world promise to enjoy a six-week feast of thrilling entertainment on the field.”

Gaurang Shetty, Jet Airways whole-time director, said: “Our partnership with the Mumbai Indians is a truly winning combination. We are excited to extend this association with the defending champions to the 2016 IPL. We look forward to another year of thrilling competition and engagement with fans as Rohit Sharma and his team set out to emulate their title-winning performance.”