No title sponsor on India jersey for Asia Cup 2025? BCCI clarifies
The introduction of a new bill, further limiting the reach of real-money gaming and gambling, is likely to affect the Indian cricket team in the coming days. The national side currently has online gaming giant Dream11 as its title sponsor. However, with the Indian government taking aim and significantly curbing the operations of such entities, Team India is likely to lose this sponsorship. While not yet confirmed, speculation suggests that the Indian jersey may feature no sponsor in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.
With a shadow over Dream11 operations, Team India is unlikely to feature the sponsor on their jersey for the Asia Cup 2025
India’s men’s cricket team could step onto the field at the Asia Cup 2025 without a sponsor’s logo on their jersey. The India squad for the Asia Cup was announced earlier this week. The ACC tournament is scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE. The Men in Blue, meanwhile, are slated to open their campaign on September 10 against the hosts. Moreover, with the Indian government nodding to their 'engagement' with arch-rivals in multi-team tournaments, the India vs Pakistan clash is also set to go unhindered. However, as clarity emerges on their schedule, Team India now faces another dilemma.
The Men in Blue could be left without their title sponsor in the upcoming tournament. The uncertainty stems from a recent bill proposed by the Indian government. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, presented in both houses of Parliament, prohibits all forms of online fantasy sports and betting platforms, including Dream11.
Dream11 has served as Team India’s principal jersey sponsor since July 2023 under a three-year deal. With the new legislation in force, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not yet clarified whether the partnership will continue. The BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, however, stressed that the BCCI would act in accordance with Indian law.
"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," Saikia said recently.
Following the bill’s approval, Dream11 issued a statement on Friday confirming that all “cash games and contests have been discontinued.” The legislation not only bans real-money online games but also criminalises their promotion and financing, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison. With stern sanctions on the promotion of such entities, it is unlikely that Dream11 will feature on the Indian jersey in the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup.
