Just weeks before the Asia Cup 2025, the fantasy sports giant Dream11, which had been serving as the title sponsor of Team India since 2023, decided to
withdraw from the role following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. With real-money gaming platforms banned under the new legislation, Dream11 had no choice but to exit.
This has opened the door for new players to come in, and according to an NDTV report, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, Toyota Motor Corporation, and a fintech start-up have already expressed interest in securing the coveted sponsorship rights.
Dream11’s association with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) began in 2023 under a deal worth INR 358 crore, which included payments of INR 3 crore per home match and INR 1 crore per away fixture. However, the government’s strict take on real-money gaming platforms led to the exit of Dream11. Notably, the company's departure comes just days before the Asia Cup, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE, with matches to be played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that the board would abide by national regulations.
"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," Saikia said.
The three interested parties are eager to tap into Indian cricket’s brand value
With Dream11 out of the picture, the BCCI is set to quickly finalize a new sponsor. Sources have revealed that the board is expecting a higher financial return from the next deal compared to what Dream11 had offered.
The three interested parties, Reliance Jio, Toyota, and the unnamed fintech start-up, are eager to tap into Indian cricket’s brand value. Reliance Jio, already a major player in Indian sports sponsorships, could strengthen its brand positioning by linking directly with the national team. Toyota has also been part of cricket sponsorship, most notably in the Australian cricket team's jerseys.
If BCCI fails to secure a new sponsor before the Asia Cup, the Indian team could feature in the continental event without a lead sponsor. Notably, jerseys with Dream11’s branding had already been printed, but they will not be used during the tournament.
