In a dramatic turn just weeks before the Asia Cup 2025, Team India may take the field without one of its most visible sponsors – Dream11. The fantasy sports giant’s potential exit comes in the wake of the recently passed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, a move that could permanently reshape the sponsorship landscape of Indian cricket.
The Impact of the Online Gaming Bill 2025
Passed by both houses of Parliament, the bill aims to restrict real-money gaming platforms in India, citing concerns over gambling and its influence on younger audiences. As a direct consequence, companies like Dream11 may no longer be eligible to feature on the Indian cricket team’s jerseys – a significant setback for one of the country’s biggest fantasy sports platforms.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has already clarified the board’s stance:
“If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy of the country that is framed by the central government,” he told NDTV.
Who Could Replace Dream11?
With Dream11 likely stepping aside, the race for India’s jersey sponsorship is wide open. Several industry giants are emerging as potential contenders:
Top Conglomerates
Tata Group – Already a major player in cricket through its IPL sponsorship.
Reliance Jio – With strong ties to sports broadcasting and events.
Adani Group – Increasing its footprint in sports investments across the country.
FinTech Firms & Insurance Brands
India’s growing fintech ecosystem could also join the race. Platforms like Zerodha, Angel One, and Groww, along with leading insurance companies, may look to capitalise on cricket’s massive reach to reinforce brand visibility.
Automobile & FMCG Giants
Automobile manufacturers such as Mahindra and Toyota are expanding in India and may see jersey sponsorship as a high-impact marketing opportunity. FMCG brands like Pepsi, with a long association with cricket, could also stage a comeback.
Jersey Crisis Ahead of Asia Cup?
With the Asia Cup set to begin on September 9, 2025, time is running out for the BCCI to finalise a new deal. Insiders have revealed that jerseys with Dream11 logos were already printed but will not be used for the tournament, leaving a sponsorship gap that needs to be filled quickly.
A Rs 358 Crore Partnership in Jeopardy
Dream11 had signed a Rs 358 crore deal with the BCCI in 2023, paying Rs 3 crore for each home match and Rs 1 crore for each away game. If the Online Gaming Bill is enforced strictly, this partnership may officially end, marking one of the biggest sponsorship exits in Indian cricket history.
What Lies Ahead?
If no new sponsor is secured before the Asia Cup, Team India may play without a main sponsor – a rare sight in modern cricket. However, given the brand value of Indian cricket, a bidding war is likely to follow soon after, with major corporations vying to secure the prized jersey space.
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