The Indian cricket team, a global powerhouse in the sport, will enter the Asia Cup 2025 without a title sponsor on its jerseys. This marks a significant change in the team’s commercial landscape, reflecting evolving regulations and the increasing value associated with sponsoring the team. Dream11, a fantasy sports platform that previously held the prominent position on the team’s jersey, had to withdraw its sponsorship due to the government’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which restricts real-money gaming. Consequently, the BCCI terminated the contract with Dream11. In response to this shift, the BCCI has raised the sponsorship rates for future deals. The cost to sponsor India in bilateral series will now be Rs 3.5 crore per match, and Rs 1.5 crore for each game in multilateral events. These increased rates underscore the premium value of sponsoring Team India, which is consistently one of the most marketable teams in cricket. Furthermore, new regulations prevent companies involved in real-money gaming or cryptocurrency from bidding for sponsorship, narrowing the field of potential sponsors. Despite these changes, the BCCI anticipates substantial revenue generation from the new sponsorship deal. The Asia Cup 2025 will commence on September 9, while the deadline for sponsorship bids is September 16. This timing means the team will play without a sponsor logo, presenting a rare, clean look for India’s iconic blue kit. This situation highlights the broader evolution of India’s cricket ecosystem, where government regulations, rising costs, and shifting priorities are reshaping the game’s commercial aspects. Traditional players such as banking, telecom, FMCG, and tech giants may now take precedence in securing sponsorships. For the players, the absence of a sponsor on the jersey will not affect their focus, as they continue to play for the badge on their chests. Meanwhile, for potential sponsors, the cost to be associated with India’s most-watched team has increased.
