Team India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign without a lead sponsor on their jerseys after Dream 11 exit.
Team India will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign without a lead sponsor on their jerseys. For the first time in a non-ICC tournament, the word "India" will stand out bigger and brighter on the blue kits of Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and others.
This change comes after Dream11 pulled out of its deal with the BCCI last month, citing new government rules on online gaming. The sudden exit leaves the Indian team in a rare situation as they prepare to face Pakistan, UAE, and Oman in the group stage.
Dream11 ended its sponsorship deal after the Indian government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill. The law bans real-money gaming, which forms the backbone of Dream11’s business. The company then invoked the exit clause in its deal with the BCCI.
The deal, signed in 2023, was worth around USD 44 million (INR 358 crore) and was supposed to run until 2026. But the regulatory shift forced the fantasy sports platform to withdraw early.
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The BCCI has moved quickly to find a new sponsor. On September 2, the board released an “Invitation to Tender,” inviting companies to submit their bids for the lead sponsorship slot. Interested firms can buy the tender until September 12, and final bids must be submitted by September 16.
However, with the Asia Cup starting on September 9, India will almost certainly play its opening matches without any sponsor branding on the kits.
This is not the first time the BCCI has faced such issues. In 2019, OPPO withdrew from its sponsorship deal, after which Byju’s stepped in, later, Dream11 took over as the lead sponsor. The frequent changes highlight how sponsorship in Indian cricket often gets affected by business pressures and regulatory challenges.
The BCCI has also placed strict eligibility rules for new sponsors. Companies linked to alcohol, gambling, cryptocurrency, tobacco, pornography, or online money gaming cannot bid. The board wants to keep partnerships that reflect Indian values and legal norms.
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The Indian team will leave for the UAE on September 4. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Their first match will be against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 at the same venue, before playing Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 19.
Group B features Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from each group will move into the Super Four stage, with the final scheduled for September 28.
Although not having a sponsor can seem like a setback, it also offers a unique opportunity for the 'India' name to flourish unhindered. In Contrast to corporate branding, supporters may see this as a chance to celebrate national pride. The BCCI's challenge will be to quickly get a new deal that reflects the value of its international cricket brand.
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