Why Team India Needs a New Sponsor
The Indian cricket team suddenly finds itself without a title sponsor after Dream11 pulled out of its ₹358 crore deal with the BCCI. The exit comes after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 banned real-money gaming in India.
Dream11 informed the BCCI that due to the new law, which directly impacts its core business, it could no longer continue as Team India’s lead sponsor. Thanks to a clause in the contract, the company won’t face penalties for the pullout.
The Sponsorship Gap Before Asia Cup 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off on September 9 in the UAE, but for the first time in years, the Indian team might play without a lead sponsor if a deal isn’t finalized soon.
Although Team India’s jerseys with Dream11 branding were already printed, they will not be used in the tournament. The BCCI has confirmed that a new tender process will open shortly to find a replacement.
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Big Names in the Race for New Sponsors for Team India
Several companies are being discussed as strong contenders for India’s jersey sponsorship:
| Category | Potential Sponsors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Top Conglomerates | Tata Group, Reliance Jio, Adani Group | Tata already sponsors the IPL; Reliance invests heavily in sports; Adani recently sponsored the Paris Olympics. |
| Automobile Sector | Toyota, Mahindra | Toyota has global cricket ties; Mahindra has strong brand presence in India. |
| Fintech Companies | Zerodha, Angel One, Groww, Other Startups | Fast-growing investor platforms; strong digital presence. |
| FMCG Brands | Pepsi, other consumer giants | Long history with cricket sponsorships. |
Toyota & Fintech Startups Leading the Talks
According to the latest updates, Toyota Motor Corporation and a fintech start-up have already shown formal interest in becoming the title sponsor. The official bidding process has not yet started, but these early moves suggest that BCCI won’t have to wait long to find a replacement.
BCCI’s Stance and Expectations
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has made it clear that the board will fully comply with Indian laws:
“If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country framed by the central government.”
At the same time, the BCCI expects the next deal to fetch more revenue than the Dream11 contract, given the global appeal of Indian cricket and the timing ahead of the Asia Cup and 2027 World Cup cycle.
This record makes companies cautious, but the unmatched exposure of sponsoring Team India keeps attracting big brands.
Like to know? List of Sponsors of the Indian Cricket Team (1993-2025)
The Risk Factor in Indian Jersey Sponsorship
History shows that every major Indian team sponsor in the last 25 years has faced challenges:
- Sahara nearly collapsed financially
- Star India lost market dominance
- Vivo exited amid declining sales in India
- Byju’s faced heavy debt issues
- Dream11 exited after its business model was banned
Like to know? 1 to 100 Jersey Number in Cricket India
What’s Next?
- The Asia Cup 2025 deadline means a decision must be made quickly.
- If no deal is finalized in time, Team India will play the tournament without a lead sponsor — a rare situation for such a cricket powerhouse.
- A new tender will likely attract multiple bidders, with Tata, Reliance, Adani, Toyota, and fintech startups among the front-runners.
Conclusion
Dream11’s exit marks the end of a short but high-value sponsorship era for Team India. But it also opens the door for legacy conglomerates, fintech disruptors, and global automobile brands to claim one of the most visible sponsorship slots in world cricket.
The BCCI, confident of better deals, is now preparing to finalize India’s new sponsor ahead of the Asia Cup. Fans can expect a big announcement soon — one that could reshape cricket sponsorship in the run-up to the 2027 World Cup.
