The Indian cricket team could enter the Asia Cup 2025 without a jersey sponsor, following the exit of fantasy sports giant Dream11, according to a report by India Today. With the tournament beginning on September 9, the BCCI may not finalize a new deal in time.
Emergency Meeting Held
An emergency meeting chaired by interim president Rajeev Shukla was reportedly held on Thursday to discuss alternatives. However, no timeline was fixed for appointing a new lead sponsor.
Dream11 Association Ends
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board’s association with Dream11 has officially ended. Dream11 had signed a ₹358 crore, three-year deal in July 2023 to replace Byju’s as Team India’s lead sponsor. The brand also had strong ties with the IPL, including being the league’s title sponsor in 2020 after Vivo’s withdrawal.
New Gaming Law Forces Exit
The fallout comes after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 was recently passed in Parliament and received presidential assent. Following the new legislation, Dream11 suspended all money-based contests on its platform.
“Under the new law, it will be difficult for BCCI to continue with Dream11 or any similar gaming company. We are exploring alternative options,” Saikia told IANS.
No Penalties for Dream11
Dream11 will not face any penalties as its contract included a safeguard clause. If its core business was banned by the government, the company would not be held liable for payments to the BCCI.
What’s Next for BCCI?
The board is expected to search for a long-term sponsor until the 2027 ODI World Cup, but the process could stretch beyond the Asia Cup. If no deal is closed before the tournament, India may play the event with plain jerseys, marking a rare instance in recent times.
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