September 4, 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the hunt for a new lead sponsor for the national cricket team! Why? Because Dream11, the popular fantasy sports app, has pulled out of its massive ₹358 crore jersey sponsorship deal. This big change comes just as the Asian cricket fever builds up for the Asia Cup starting September 9. Dream11's exit wasn’t random — it was triggered by the new Government's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. This tough law bans all money-based online gaming and their advertisements. As per the Act, “no person shall offer any, aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes online money game.” With this law in place, Dream11 found itself in hot waters and had to step away from sponsoring the Indian cricket team. Now, BCCI has officially put out a call for expressions of interest (EoI) on September 2. Interested companies have until September 12 to buy the bid documents, and September 16 to submit their offers. But there’s a catch! Bidders must shell out a non-refundable fee of ₹5 lakh plus GST, which totals ₹5.9 lakh, or $5,675 if they’re from overseas. Only serious players need apply. To qualify, companies must have an average turnover or net worth of at least ₹300 crore over the past three years and must also clear BCCI's “fit and proper” rules. Also, firms connected with betting, gambling, cryptocurrency, or online money gaming cannot take part. The BCCI also excludes some categories like banks, insurance companies, non-alcoholic beverages makers, sportswear brands, and some consumer appliances because of existing deals. The BCCI wanted a big deal, eyeing around ₹452 crore for the 2025-28 period covering 140 matches. After Dream11's surprise exit, BCCI tried to seal deals by directly talking to potential sponsors but when talks didn’t work out, this EoI is the fresh shot to bring a shining brand on the batsman's jersey soon. Will a new sponsor rise before the Asia Cup grand slam? Cricket fans are watching and waiting for this next blockbuster partnership!

Read More at Economictimes →

Tags: Bcci, Dream11, Cricket sponsorship, Jersey sponsor, Online gaming ban, Asia cup,