By Aadyasha News 
Dream11 ends sponsorship deal with BCCI ahead of Asia Cup
With just over two weeks left before the start of the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, fantasy sports platform Dream11 has reportedly backed out of its deal as the Indian cricket team’s lead jersey sponsor. The abrupt exit comes in the wake of India passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money gaming platforms — a category that includes Dream11’s core business.
According to a report in NDTV, Dream11 is not willing to continue its deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), although neither party has made an official statement. The withdrawal puts India at risk of entering a major international tournament without a lead jersey sponsor — a rare situation for the sport’s most commercially valuable team.
BCCI likely to invite fresh bids, new jerseys already printed
Sources cited in the report revealed that Dream11-branded jerseys for the Asia Cup had already been printed, but are now unlikely to be used. The BCCI is reportedly preparing to open a fresh bidding process for jersey sponsorship rights, though time is limited. The tournament begins on September 9, with India set to face UAE on September 10, Pakistan on September 14, and Oman on September 19.
If a new sponsor isn’t finalized in time, India could play the Asia Cup without any lead branding on the front of their jerseys.
Devajit Saikia: BCCI will follow every policy of the central government
In response to the legal shift that triggered Dream11’s exit, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reaffirmed the board’s position on full compliance with national laws.
“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,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Media.
The quote, originally given in an earlier context, has gained renewed relevance as Dream11’s deal — reportedly worth ₹358 crore (approx. $40.99 million) over three years — now appears to be a casualty of the new legal landscape.
Another major exit in India’s checkered sponsorship history
Dream11’s departure marks the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the Indian team’s sponsorship roster, many driven by legal or financial complications.
Sahara (2001–2013) left after running afoul of SEBI
Star India (2014–2017) exited amid a Competition Commission probe
Oppo (2017–2020) pulled out citing financial stress
Byju’s (2020–2023) ended its stint in a legal dispute with the BCCI over unpaid dues
Dream11 had replaced Byju’s in July 2023 and debuted on Team India’s jersey during a Test series in the West Indies. The agreement included a ₹3 crore (approx. $0.34 million) per home match fee and ₹1 crore (approx. $0.12 million) per away game.
Future uncertain as BCCI navigates post-Dream11 landscape
Dream11, co-founded by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, reported ₹9,600 crore (approx. $1.1 billion) in revenue in FY24, but the legal blow to real-money gaming in India now leaves the company — and its marketing partnerships — in limbo.
As of now, the Indian cricket board is faced with an urgent challenge: secure a new sponsor or take the field at one of the biggest tournaments in the calendar without a brand on the shirt. Either way, Dream11’s exit is a major turning point in the commercial dynamics of Indian cricket.
Source : Collected