A striking new look for Team India
Team India will take the field at the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE wearing a jersey unlike any in recent memory — free of sponsor logos. The fresh design, revealed by all-rounder Shivam Dube on his Instagram, immediately drew widespread attention and debate among cricket fans.
The jersey, which boldly features “INDIA” across the chest alongside the Asia Cup logo, comes without a corporate sponsor — a first for a major non-ICC event in years.
Why no sponsor on India’s jersey?
The sponsor-less design follows the BCCI’s split with fantasy sports platform Dream11, which ended its contract earlier than expected. The move was triggered by India’s new Online Gaming Bill, which prohibits online money gaming while promoting esports and social gaming.
Dream11 had replaced Byju’s as India’s lead jersey sponsor in 2023, signing a three-year deal. With the partnership now dissolved, the BCCI has begun inviting fresh bids for sponsorship. However, the tender process — with applications closing September 12 and bids due September 16 — means the entire Asia Cup campaign will be played without a front-of-shirt sponsor.
Fans embrace the minimalist design
The absence of branding sparked a wave of nostalgia and approval among many cricket followers, who praised the return to a simpler, more traditional look.
“Finally I can see the country’s name written in big, bold letters rather than some fantasy gaming app name,” one user wrote on social media, reacting to the sponsor-free Team India jersey.
“This is how a national team’s jersey should look. No distractions, just the name of the country. Looks so much better,” another fan commented, expressing nostalgia and approval of the minimalist design.
India to debut sponsor-less kit in Dubai
Despite the mixed reactions, the new look represents a significant shift in how cricket’s biggest team presents itself on the global stage. The Men in Blue will debut the sponsor-free kit on September 10 against the UAE in Dubai, marking the start of their Asia Cup campaign.
For fans, it will be the first chance in years to see Team India in a jersey that carries nothing but the nation’s name.
