The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently searching for a new title sponsor for Team India’s jersey after the sudden exit of fantasy sports giant Dream11. This decision was triggered by the recent passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money gaming platforms and effectively halted Dream11’s operations. As a result, Dream11’s Rs 358 crore sponsorship deal with the BCCI was terminated, leaving Team India without a jersey sponsor ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to commence on September 9 in the UAE, and the BCCI is under pressure to finalize a new sponsor before India’s opening match against the UAE on September 10. Japanese automotive giant Toyota Motor Corporation and an unnamed fintech startup have emerged as frontrunners to secure the coveted sponsorship slot. The BCCI is aiming for a deal that surpasses the financial value of the Dream11 contract, capitalizing on the massive global visibility offered by Team India’s jersey.
The departure of Dream11 has created logistical challenges, with Asia Cup jerseys already printed with the company’s logo now deemed unusable. The BCCI has emphasized its commitment to compliance with the new legislation, and industry speculation also points to Reliance Jio as a potential contender. The race for the jersey sponsorship comes amid the “jersey jinx,” a pattern where past sponsors like Sahara, Byju’s, and now Dream11 faced financial or regulatory troubles after securing the deal.
Despite this, the allure of Team India’s jersey remains unmatched, with its global audience making it a prime marketing asset. The BCCI faces pressure to finalize a new sponsor before the Asia Cup, and if a deal does not materialize, Team India may take the field without a title sponsor for the first time in decades. This would be a rare scenario for a cricketing powerhouse like India, and the BCCI is working to avoid this outcome. With the Asia Cup just weeks away, the BCCI is racing against time to secure a new title sponsor and maintain the team’s visibility on the global stage.