Shock Before Asia Cup 2025! Dream11 Ends Sponsorship With Team India After New Gaming Bill
Just days before the much-awaited Asia Cup 2025, Team India has been hit with a major setback off the field. Fantasy sports giant Dream11, which had been the Men in Blue’s lead sponsor, has reportedly pulled the plug on its association with the Indian cricket team.
The move comes in the wake of the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025’, recently passed by the Indian Parliament. The new bill prohibits real-money gaming sites, like Dream11, from associating with major sporting entities, including the national cricket team.
Dream11-BCCI Partnership in Jeopardy
Although neither Dream11 nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released an official statement, reports suggest the fantasy platform is unwilling to extend the sponsorship agreement. This could mean that Dream11 will not feature on Team India’s jerseys during the Asia Cup 2025.
In 2023, Dream11 and BCCI had inked a massive ₹358 crore deal, under which the company paid ₹1 crore for each away match and ₹3 crore for each home match. However, with the new law coming into play, this deal is now effectively over.
BCCI’s Response to the Situation
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, while addressing the media, said that the board will adhere to the country’s rules.
“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 clarified.
With just weeks to go before the Asia Cup begins, the BCCI is expected to invite fresh bids for India’s shirt sponsorship rights. However, if no suitable sponsor is finalized before the tournament, Team India might enter the Asia Cup without a lead sponsor on their jerseys.
Jerseys Already Printed, But Won’t Be Used
Interestingly, sources suggest that India’s Asia Cup jerseys featuring the Dream11 logo have already been printed. But with the sponsorship deal now terminated, the team won’t be allowed to use them during the tournament.
What’s Next for Team India?
The Asia Cup 2025 kicks off on September 9 in the UAE with eight teams participating. The final is scheduled for September 28, and the tournament will be played in the T20 format. Suryakumar Yadav will lead a 15-member Indian squad in the competition.
While the focus will remain on India’s on-field performance, the sudden exit of Dream11 has added an unexpected twist to the team’s preparations. With a new sponsor yet to be confirmed, all eyes will be on the BCCI to see how quickly they can resolve this sponsorship void.
