Sponsorless India turns heads at Asia Cup, but not for long
India’s ongoing campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 has been marked by an unusual visual: a team with the world’s highest cricketing brand value playing in plain, sponsor-less jerseys. The absence of a jersey sponsor follows the early termination of the BCCI’s high-value deal with fantasy sports company Dream11, worth ₹358 crore (approx. US$40.55 million) per year. The break came in the wake of the Indian government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which bans real-money gaming platforms.
Despite the visual anomaly on the field, the situation is expected to be temporary. According to senior BCCI officials, a new sponsor is already in the works and is expected to be announced before the end of September.
‘The process has been released… final decision in 15-20 days’: Shukla
Rajeev Shukla, speaking at an event organised by realtors’ apex body CREDAI, confirmed the sponsor selection process is progressing quickly.
“The tender process has been released, and there are a lot of bidders. We will tell you after it’s finalised. I think it will be finalised in 15-20 days,” he said.
When asked if any frontrunner had emerged, he replied:
“No, there is no name yet. There are a lot of bidders. We will tell you after it’s finalised.”
The tender specifically prohibits companies involved in betting, alcohol, cryptocurrency, and real-money gaming from bidding—ensuring a compliant partner going forward.
Arun Dhumal confirms decision is imminent
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the PlayCom 2025 summit, also confirmed the process is in motion and a final announcement is expected soon.
“I think what is done is done (on Dream 11’s exit). I would not like to talk about that. But we have started the ball rolling as far as the next sponsor is concerned. I am sure within 2-3 weeks we will get to know that,” he said.
According to Dhumal, the new sponsor should be on board well before India’s next major international assignment—the white-ball tour of Australia starting October 19 in Perth.
BCCI’s financial independence and policy compliance defended
While public attention focused on the absence of a sponsor and the regulatory changes behind it, Shukla took the opportunity to defend the BCCI’s financial transparency and independence.
“BCCI pays income tax like a corporate company. It also pays GST. We don’t have any exemptions,” he said.
He further added:
“We pay thousands of crores of taxes. State associations also pay taxes. And we never take a single rupee grant from the government.”
GST hike could impact IPL footfall, warns Shukla
The government’s recent move to impose 40% GST on IPL tickets—putting them in the same tax bracket as casinos and race clubs—has raised concerns over pricing fans out of the stadium experience.
“I am seeing that a lot of common people come to watch IPL. It will definitely have an impact. But I am hopeful that a lot of people will come to watch IPL,” said Shukla.
Under the revised structure, a ₹500 (approx. US$5.66) ticket will now cost ₹700 (approx. US$7.93), and a ₹2,000 (approx. US$22.65) ticket will go up to ₹2,800 (approx. US$31.71), while international and domestic matches will still draw the standard 18% GST.
New BCCI leadership coming soon
Alongside sponsorship developments, the BCCI will also see a change in leadership. The board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for September 28 in Mumbai.
“For sure, we have the nomination starting in a week’s time. So we will get to know. We will have a better picture as to who is going to be the next BCCI chief,” Dhumal said.
