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BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
Cricket became more than just a sport on Sunday as the Indian Women’s Cricket Team stepped onto the field in pink jerseys to champion a life-saving cause. SBI Life Insurance, one of India’s most trusted life insurers, in partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), took the global stage to spread awareness about breast cancer through its impactful ‘Thanks-A-Dot’ initiative during the One Day International (ODI) against Australia. The distinctive jerseys, emblazoned with the Thanks-A-Dot logo, turned the match into a powerful platform for spotlighting women’s health and the importance of breast self-examination and early detection.
In a special pre-match ceremony, the specially designed pink jerseys were handed over to Team India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates Pratika Rawal and Sneh Rana by M. Anand, President & Chief Distribution Officer of SBI Life, Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corporate Communications & CSR, SBI Life, and actress as well as breast cancer survivor Mahima Chaudhry. Wearing these jerseys symbolised the team’s commitment to championing women’s health and breaking the silence around breast cancer.
Speaking on the occasion, Anand said, “At SBI Life, we believe in protecting not just lives but also dreams and aspirations. Thanks-A-Dot is our heartfelt effort to raise awareness on breast cancer and empower women with the knowledge that can save lives. We are honoured to have the support of BCCI and the Indian Women’s Cricket Team who donned the Thanks-A-Dot pink jerseys, amplifying breast cancer awareness on such a prestigious global platform. We sincerely hope this initiative inspires millions of women across India and beyond to act and prioritize breast health.” He further emphasized the critical need for early detection, pointing out that many cases in India are diagnosed too late. He added that by combining awareness with financial preparedness, families can make informed choices, safeguard futures, and live with confidence and hope.
Actor and cancer survivor Mahima Chaudhry lent her voice to the cause, stating, “Being associated with SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot initiative means a lot to me, as it spreads awareness about breast cancer in an educational way. Having gone through the fight myself, I know that early detection is the key. And the Hug of Life acts as a reminder for women to practice breast self-examination every month.”
Launched in 2019, Thanks-A-Dot has been engaging women across India by promoting the importance of breast self-examination, early detection, and financial preparedness. Expanding on this mission, the initiative introduced Project Hug of Life in 2023, creatively engraving 3D lumps on common hot water bags used for menstrual pain relief, turning them into tools for training women to regularly examine themselves and take preventive steps.
To deepen fan engagement during the India-Australia ODI, the campaign integrated awareness across multiple touchpoints. The dot ball counter was reimagined as the Hug of Life Bag, with every 50 dot balls translating into support for 200 underprivileged women, who would be guided on breast self-examination through the distribution of Thanks-A-Dot kits in collaboration with PRADHAN NGO. The pitch mat itself carried the TAD logo, reinforcing the message of awareness at the heart of the action.
By merging the passion of cricket with the urgency of health awareness, SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot initiative has shown how sport can serve as a unifying force for meaningful social change. The campaign reinforces that conversations on breast health must move from hesitation to action, encouraging women to embrace proactive self-checks. Staying true to its philosophy of Apne Liye, Apno Ke Liye, SBI Life continues to create a culture of protection and well-being, where awareness, timely action, and strength of community empower families to face the future with resilience and hope.
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