Team India now has a new jersey sponsor. Apollo Tyres acquired the sponsorship rights of the Indian cricket team, taking over from Dream11 following the latter’s withdrawal in the wake of the government ban on real-money gaming websites. A top BCCI official confirmed the news to PTI, putting an end to the board’s short search for a new sponsor.
Apollo Tyres Replaces Dream11
Dream11, who was paying ₹4 crore a game, was forced to withdraw after the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025. The team was left without a shirt sponsor in the current Asia Cup in Dubai.
A source stated that Apollo Tyres will now pay around ₹4.5 crore per match — more than Dream11’s earlier deal. The agreement, which is worth ₹579 crore, will go through 2027, covering 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC matches.
Other Brands Miss Out
Times of India reports that Canva and JK Tyre were in the race but lost the three-way bidding contest. Birla Optus Paints also showed interest but did not wish to bid for it.
BCCI’s Strict Eligibility Rules
When Dream11 left, the BCCI tightened the bidding procedure. Gaming, betting, crypto, and tobacco brands were banned from bidding. Other industries such as alcohol, banking, fans, sports apparel manufacturers, and even home appliance companies were also marked as ineligible.
India Playing Without Shirt Sponsor in Asia Cup
Team India is playing the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai without a shirt sponsor following Dream11’s last-minute withdrawal after the online gaming ban. The classic blue jersey has been appearing minus a central logo, which is a rare sight in the last few years when the Indian team did not have a head honcho sponsor written prominently on their jerseys.
It remains uncertain if the Indian men’s team would wear the new Apollo-branded jerseys in the current Asia Cup. Reports indicate, though, that the new kit would be worn by the Indian women’s cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Apollo Tyres’ Global Presence
Apollo Tyres is a global organisation based in Gurugram, India, with Indian and European production bases. The association represents a key commercial milestone for the BCCI, now earning one of its most valuable sponsorship agreements in history.
With the agreement sealed, Team India will soon have the name of their new sponsor on the jersey potentially making its debut later this year in a home series.
