BCCI Bars Brands from Bidding, India Left Without Jersey Sponsor for Asia Cup

In order to avoid being caught off guard by offers for the primary sponsorship rights, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained its stance. After the ban on Dream11, the Indian cricket board on Tuesday requested bids for the main sponsorship rights. Following the introduction of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gambling Act 2025 by the Indian government, the online gambling platform terminated its agreement.

After their business suffered greatly as a result of the new rules, Dream11 made the decision to leave on August 25. The men's 2027 World Cup is already in the cards, and the board is already working towards a long-term agreement with a primary sponsor. During an emergency Apex Council meeting on August 28, which was held by the interim president Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI made the decision to take its time finding a primary sponsor for the Asia Cup. The government's ban on real-money gambling platforms under the Promotion and Regulation of Online gambling Act, 2025, put an abrupt end to Dream11's relationship with the BCCI as its primary sponsor.

No Jersey Sponsor For Team India in Asia Cup

Additionally, the BCCI, which is also the richest cricket board in the world, established a requirement that businesses seeking for sponsorship rights must generate at least INR 300 crore in revenue annually. The board gave the firms until September 16 to submit their proposals after releasing its announcement on September 2. This implies that the Indian cricket team will probably compete in the 2025 Asia Cup without a shirt sponsor. In August 2025, over a year before their contract was set to expire, Dream11 withdrew, forcing the BCCI to find a new sponsor.

A contract of approximately 358 crore was signed by Dream11 to serve as Team India's title sponsor for the 2023–2026 cycle; however, it was cancelled with one year left. Given that the deadline is September 16, Suryakumar Yadav's India is probably going to play in the next Asia Cup 2025 without a jersey sponsor. The competition starts on September 9. The primary sponsor's name appears on the front of the cricket teams' men's and women's shirts.

Businesses Prohibited From Bidding For India's Jersey Sponsor

While the BCCI has released the notice for applying for Team India's Jersey Sponsor, it has made it clear that the businesses related to some illegal functioning won't be allowed to participate. The India jersey sponsor banned list is as follows:

• Online Gambling, Betting, and Money Gaming Companies
• Cryptocurrency and Associated Enterprises
• Brand with Multiple Categories
• Surrogate Branding

Toyota: India New Jersey Sponsor?

The BCCI's primary sponsors have recently had a difficult period. A number of businesses, including Dream11, have experienced bankruptcy or legal issues. In 2001, Sahara shone with glory, but by 2011, the SEBI heat had caused everything to crumble. Even its originator was imprisoned. Later, the television giant Star India had a great run from 2014 to 2017, but its supremacy was undermined by financial difficulties and antitrust investigations.

As collateral in the India-China crisis, the Chinese telecom giant Oppo resigned amidst geopolitical concerns. After snatching up the shirt and even FIFA sponsorships, Byju's, once India's most renowned edtech unicorn, was pulled down by debt, default, and ultimately bankruptcy.

Following Dream11's split from the BCCI, Toyota Motors has expressed interest in sponsoring Team India's jersey. Since BCCI no longer has a shirt sponsor, Toyota Motors is now the front-runner to take Dream11's position. People are unaware, though, that this will not be the first time the motor manufacturer sponsors a cricket shirt if they are able to negotiate a contract with the Indian side.

Toyota already has partnerships with some of the best cricket teams in the world like England and Australia. After the ECB severed its relationship with the previous sponsor Cinch, Toyota joined hand and took over as the primary sponsor of England jersey.