The countdown has begun. The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off in just 15 days, but the unthinkable has happened Team India, cricket’s richest brand, is without a sponsor.
In a stunning twist, Dream11, the official lead sponsor of the Indian team, has pulled out barely a fortnight before the high-voltage tournament begins in the UAE. The decision has left the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) scrambling for a replacement in what should have been a celebratory build-up to the Asia Cup.
Why Did Dream11 Walk Away?
The exit comes on the heels of a new Parliament law banning real money online games, a move that has rocked the fantasy sports industry. Dream11, a giant in this space, decided it could no longer continue as Team India’s sponsor.
“Representatives of Dream11 visited the BCCI office and informed CEO Hemang Amin that they won’t be able to continue… As a result, they won’t be the team’s sponsors for the Asia Cup. The BCCI will float a new tender soon,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.
Interestingly, Dream11 will not face any penalty for its abrupt exit. A clause in the contract safeguards sponsors in case their core business is impacted by Government laws, meaning the company walks away without paying a single rupee in damages.
From Byju’s to Dream11 A Shifting Landscape
Dream11 only stepped into the role of India’s lead sponsor in July 2023, signing a ₹358 crore deal for three years after edtech giant Byju’s exited. Their departure just two years later highlights how volatile the sports sponsorship market in India has become, especially with sudden regulatory changes.
For Dream11, the relationship with Indian cricket ran deep. Founded 18 years ago, the company grew into India’s biggest fantasy gaming platform, with brand ambassadors ranging from MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. Its association wasn’t limited to the national team Dream11 has had a strong footprint in the IPL, even stepping in as title sponsor in 2020 when Vivo pulled out.
Yet, with the government crackdown, even a behemoth like Dream11 had to retreat.
What Next for Team India?
For the BCCI, the timing couldn’t be worse. India head into the Asia Cup as defending champions, aiming for their ninth title in 18 editions. Their campaign begins on September 10 against UAE, followed by the blockbuster clash against Pakistan on September 14.
Sponsors have always rushed to be on Team India’s jersey, but now the BCCI faces a race against time. Will a new sponsor step up in the next two weeks? Or will Team India walk out onto the field in Dubai without a brand on their chest a rare and almost unthinkable sight in modern cricket?
This is more than just a sponsorship story. It’s a reflection of how politics, business, and sport collide with Team India caught in the middle.
