In a major shake-up, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun the search for a new lead sponsor for Team India after ending its lucrative contract with fantasy sports giant Dream11. The move comes on the back of the newly enacted Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibits real-money gaming and disallows its advertisement and sponsorship. India Today+2The Economic Times+2
Why the Split Happened
Dream11’s deal with the BCCI was substantial — the fantasy platform had signed a three-year, ₹358-crore contract to be the front-of-jersey sponsor for India’s national teams. ESPN+2The Economic Times+2
However, with the passing of the online gaming law, this relationship became untenable under the new legal framework. As BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia put it, the board “cannot continue with such organisations” under the new restrictions. India Today
What BCCI Is Aiming For
To fill the gap left by Dream11, BCCI is now inviting bids for a new lead sponsor. India Today The board is targeting about ₹452 crore for the 2025–28 sponsorship window — a significant sum that reflects both the value of Indian cricket and BCCI’s confidence in commercial partners. Business Standard
Their valuation is based on match-wise rates: roughly ₹3.5 crore per bilateral match and ₹1.5 crore for ICC / ACC tournament matches. Business Standard
New Partner Confirmed: Apollo Tyres
In a major development, Apollo Tyres has been announced as the new title sponsor of Team India. Reuters This deal runs until March 2028, and marks Apollo’s first major entry into cricket sponsorship at the national level. Reuters
The BCCI has described this as “more than a commercial agreement” — framing it as a partnership rooted in trust and mutual respect. Reuters
Implications of This Change
- Revenue model shift: With real-money gaming off the table, BCCI is now leaning more into traditional corporate sponsorships for its funding.
- Brand alignment: Partnering with a mainstream company like Apollo Tyres may help BCCI avoid regulatory risks tied to gaming companies.
- Visibility opportunity: The new sponsor’s brand will appear on both men’s and women’s national team jerseys across formats. Reuters
- Market signal: This could set a precedent — other major sports boards might re-evaluate their sponsorship strategies in a post-gaming-ban India.
Challenges Ahead
- Finding a sponsor willing to commit a huge amount in volatile times.
- Balancing commercial ambition with regulatory compliance.
- Maintaining strong team funding without over-relying on gaming brands.
Why This Matters
This is a pivotal moment for Indian cricket’s business model. The exit of a gaming sponsor signals a structural shift in how boards will monetize their global appeal. For fans, it could also mean a cleaner, more mainstream jersey identity. For corporates, it’s a big bet on cricket’s enduring value — even as the regulatory environment tightens.
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