The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the end of its partnership with Dream11, the country’s fantasy sports giant. This move comes directly after the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money gaming in India. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the board would not do anything prohibited by the government and will comply fully with new laws.
Dream11 also told BCCI they could not continue as the title sponsor for Team India, mainly because their core business—fantasy gaming—is impacted by the ban. The company said, “We have always conducted our business in compliance with the law. While we believe progressive law would have been the way forward, we respect and fully comply with the new act.”
Details of the Sponsorship Deal: When It Started and On What Terms
Dream11 replaced Byju’s as Team India’s lead sponsor in July 2023, signing a three-year contract worth ₹358 crore (about $44 million) for 158 international matches. Their logo was featured on men’s, women’s, and U-19 team jerseys. The agreement included ₹3 crore per home match and ₹1 crore per away game or ICC/Asia Cup event. The deal’s clause protected Dream11 from penalties if their core business faced a government ban, so there are no penalties for early withdrawal.
Prior to Dream11, key sponsors included:
- ITC Limited (1993–2001)
- Sahara (2001–2013)
- Star India (2014–2017)
- Oppo Mobiles (2017–2019)
- Byju’s (2019–2023)
Dream11’s entry followed Byju’s, who paid around ₹5 crore per home match for Team India, making Dream11’s deal slightly more affordable for BCCI.
Dream11’s brand ambassadors also included top cricketers—MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah—and the company had deep ties with IPL, as well as overseas tournaments like CPL and the Big Bash League.
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Financial Impact: BCCI and Sponsors
Together, Dream11 and My11Circle contributed over ₹1,000 crore to BCCI through title sponsorships of Team India and IPL. Dream11 became the IPL’s trophy sponsor as well, notably during Vivo’s exit in 2020.
With Dream11’s exit, BCCI is left seeking a new principal sponsor ahead of Asia Cup and the Women’s World Cup. It’s expected to issue a new tender soon, but observers say high base prices and the legal landscape may limit interest.
The Ongoing India-Pakistan Asia Cup Controversy
Beyond sponsorship shake-ups, the upcoming India vs. Pakistan clash at Asia Cup 2025 is making headlines. The match is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai but has triggered social controversy due to ongoing political tensions between the countries.
While sports fans and some former cricketers have called for a boycott in light of recent incidents—including the Pahalgam terror attack—BCCI clarified Team India will play Pakistan since the Asia Cup is a multi-nation event, not bilateral. The Sports Ministry’s new policy bars bilateral series with Pakistan but permits participation in multi-lateral tournaments.
Fans are divided: some support BCCI’s decision for cricket’s sake, while others argue national interest and recent events should take priority. Advertisers also have a huge stake, as India-Pakistan matches generate massive TV revenues, with advertisement rates rocket high for these fixtures.
What’s Next for BCCI and Team India?
As BCCI adapts to a new sponsorship reality and continues to manage complex political contexts, it faces new challenges ahead of Asia Cup. Team India will step onto the field in Dubai without a principal sponsor logo for the first time in years—a symbolic moment at the intersection of sports, business, and national sentiment.
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