Punit Balan Group.
The Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) has announced the addition of a new franchise ahead of Season 3, with the Pune-based Punit Balan Group (PBG) entering the championship through its team, PBG Racing. The move marks the group's first major venture into motorsports and is being seen as an important milestone in the continued expansion of India's professional Supercross ecosystem.
The announcement comes at a time when ISRL is working to strengthen its franchise model and broaden its reach among sports fans, sponsors and commercial partners. League officials believe the addition of PBG Racing will not only increase the competition's visibility in Maharashtra but also attract new audiences to a sport that has been steadily gaining momentum in India.
Led by entrepreneur, film producer and sports patron Punit Balan, the group has become a prominent name in Indian sport through investments in cricket, chess, tennis, handball, table tennis, kho kho, badminton and arm wrestling. Over the years, PBG has focused on athlete development, sponsorship initiatives and league participation, helping create opportunities for emerging talent across disciplines.
With motorsports increasingly attracting younger audiences, industry observers believe the timing of PBG's entry is significant. Supercross racing combines speed, entertainment and fan engagement, making it one of the more promising properties in the evolving sports market.
Speaking on the association, Punit Balan said "Sport has always been a powerful platform for inspiring young talent and building strong communities, and that philosophy has guided every sporting investment we have made over the years. The Indian Supercross Racing League represents an exciting new chapter for racing in India. Maharashtra, and especially Pune, has steadily emerged as one of the country's most vibrant motorsport hubs backed by passionate fans and a growing culture around racing. We are delighted to join ISRL for Season 3 and look forward to building a franchise that reflects passion, performance, and the spirit of Indian racing while also supporting the long-term growth of motorsport in the country."
ISRL Co-Founder and Director Eeshan Lokhande welcomed the development, stating that the arrival of the new franchise reflects growing confidence in the league's long-term vision. He said "We are thrilled to welcome Punit Balan Group to the ISRL family for Season 3. Punit Balan's commitment to Indian sport and athlete development across multiple disciplines speaks volumes about his long-term vision for building world-class sporting ecosystems. His entry into ISRL is another strong validation of the league's growth and potential as we continue to elevate Supercross into a mainstream sporting and entertainment property in India."
The Indian Supercross Racing League was founded by former racers with the objective of creating a world-class racing platform in India. Since its launch, the league has sought to blend elite competition with entertainment-driven experiences designed for modern sports consumers.
For Pune, the announcement further reinforces the city's growing reputation as a centre for sporting innovation. The city has emerged as a key destination for sports investments, athlete development and motorsport culture.
Season 3 is expected to feature expanded fan engagement programmes, stronger franchise participation and greater commercial activity. Against that backdrop, PBG Racing's arrival is being viewed as a strategic addition that could help accelerate the growth of both ISRL and Indian motorsports in the years ahead.
