Published on: Aug 26, 2025 5:00 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 26, 2025 5:02 pm IST
In a dramatic turn of events weeks before the Asia Cup 2025, fantasy sports giant Dream11 has pulled out as the principal jersey sponsor of the Indian men’s cricket team. The decision comes in the wake of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all forms of real-money online gaming in India, including fantasy sports platforms.
The move has left the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a spot of bother, with the team potentially heading into the Asia Cup without a sponsor logo on its jersey, a rare sight in modern-day cricket.
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Dream11 had signed a three-year sponsorship deal worth ₹358 crore in July 2023, replacing ed-tech firm BYJU’S as Team India’s lead sponsor. The agreement was set to run through the 2026 T20 World Cup, with Dream11 paying ₹3 crore per home match and ₹1 crore for away fixtures.
However, the newly enacted gaming bill criminalizes the promotion, financing, and advertising of real-money gaming platforms. With 95 percent of Dream11’s revenue tied to cash contests, the company has discontinued its core business and begun pivoting toward free-to-play formats.
“Our association with Dream11 is over after the new legislation has come into force,”
confirmed BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, adding that the board is now exploring alternatives.
While Dream11 has not issued a formal statement on the sponsorship exit, it acknowledged the shutdown of its cash games and contests on August 22.
With the Asia Cup 2025 kicking off on September 9 in the UAE, BCCI faces a race against time to secure a new sponsor. Jerseys featuring Dream11 branding have already been printed but will not be used. If no replacement is found, Team India may take the field without a sponsor logo.
Despite the setback, BCCI remains optimistic. Reports suggest that a major telecom giant, a global car manufacturer (probably Toyota), and a fintech firm have expressed interest in stepping in. The board may also consider a short-term deal through February 2026, covering the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, before finalizing a longer-term agreement.
“We’re working with a positive mindset,” Saikia said, hinting at a possible tripartite arrangement where Dream11 sublets the contract to a new sponsor.
Here’s a look at the history of Team India’s principal jersey sponsors over the past two decades:
This recurring pattern has led to whispers of a “jersey jinx,” with several sponsors facing financial or legal trouble shortly after signing deals. It will take a massive heart for the next sponsor to strike a deal with Team India and BCCI.
Fantasy gaming platforms had emerged as major backers of Indian cricket, contributing over ₹1,000 crore annually in advertising and sponsorship. With the ban, that revenue stream has dried up overnight. Industry insiders estimate that the fantasy sports sector spent over ₹5,000 crore on marketing in FY24 alone. The ripple effect will be felt across broadcasters, influencers, and digital content creators who relied on fantasy partnerships.
For Dream11, the exit marks a steep fall from grace. Once valued at $8 billion, the platform now faces an uncertain future, forced to pivot away from its core business model, and we may see it taking an exit from the market.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The Asia Cup is the pinnacle cricket tournament of the continent, involving all the best and budding Asian teams. Things have even gotten worse for the tournament, especially with India scheduled to play at least two matches against Pakistan. A jersey without a sponsor logo during such high-profile games would be a stark visual reminder of the clash between sporting commerce and national regulation.
Still, BCCI officials remain hopeful. With 43 matches scheduled for Team India across formats in the next seven months, including the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, the sponsorship slot remains a high-value asset. If a new sponsor isn’t finalized before September 9, BCCI may opt for a clean jersey temporarily while continuing negotiations behind the scenes.
In the coming days, we will be getting news regarding the next official sponsor of Team India’s iconic jersey across the format. Stay tuned for all the further updates.