BCCI Confirms New Sponsor to Be Announced Soon
In a rare and surprising development, the Indian Men’s Cricket Team has been playing the Asia Cup 2025 without a lead sponsor on their jerseys — an unusual sight for one of the most valuable and marketable teams in world cricket. This unexpected scenario has emerged following the withdrawal of Dream11, the team’s long-time sponsor, after new legislation targeting online gaming was passed in India.
Dream11’s exit comes in the wake of the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming’ Bill, which officially bans all applications and online platforms that offer real-money gaming in India. The legislation has had a significant impact on the online gaming industry, with Dream11 immediately ceasing its paid services in the country. This directly affected its sponsorship commitments, including its deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
As a result, Team India’s players are currently seen wearing plain, sponsor-less jerseys at the Asia Cup 2025 — a stark visual for fans used to the branding-heavy kits worn during major tournaments.
BCCI in Talks with New Sponsors
However, this situation is expected to be temporary. Arun Dhumal, Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and former BCCI Treasurer, confirmed that discussions are already underway to secure a new lead sponsor.
“We have started the ball rolling as far as finding a new sponsor is concerned, and in 2-3 weeks, you will get to know that,” Dhumal told the Times of India.
If Dhumal’s timeline holds true, Team India should have a new sponsor onboard before their upcoming white-ball series against Australia, which begins on October 19 in Perth.
Meanwhile, the ripple effects of India’s crackdown on online gaming have also been felt globally. The European Cricket Network (ECN), which relied heavily on funding from Dream11, has suspended all matches indefinitely.
In a statement, ECN cited India’s legislative changes as a major blow to their operations:
“Unexpected developments in India have created a challenging environment for the global cricket ecosystem… Dream11 has stopped offering its real money games in India. Inevitably, this sudden development has significantly impacted European Cricket, as our growth in recent years has been closely linked to India and our long-standing strategic partner in that market.”
The ECN expressed its commitment to returning stronger, but admitted this was a major setback.
As India moves forward in the Asia Cup, the absence of a title sponsor might seem unusual — but all signs indicate a new partnership is just around the corner. With a historic tour of Australia on the horizon, fans can expect Team India’s jerseys to once again feature a prominent sponsor by next month.
