In a major development just days before the Asia Cup 2025, Indian cricket finds itself without a principal sponsor. Dream11, India’s largest fantasy gaming platform, has officially informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it will not be able to continue its sponsorship deal with the national team. The decision comes in the wake of a new law passed in Parliament that makes real money-based online gaming illegal in the country.
According to BCCI officials, Dream11 representatives recently met CEO Hemang Amin at the board’s office to convey their decision. As per the terms of the contract, the fantasy gaming giant will not face any financial penalty, thanks to a safeguard clause. The agreement explicitly mentions that if the sponsor’s core business is directly impacted by new government regulations, the company would not be held liable to pay the cricket board.
This effectively means that while Dream11 is stepping away from one of its biggest sports partnerships, it won’t have to shell out compensation to the BCCI.
With the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai just two weeks away, the timing of this withdrawal has left the BCCI in a tricky position. The board will now have to float a fresh tender on an urgent basis to secure a new lead sponsor for Team India. While the national team is in high spirits after the announcement of its Asia Cup squad, the absence of a confirmed sponsor adds an unusual off-field challenge.
Dream11’s Journey in Indian Cricket Sponsorship
Dream11, founded 18 years ago, quickly rose to become India’s leading fantasy gaming platform, boasting a valuation of $8 billion, as per Bloomberg. In July 2023, it signed a three-year sponsorship deal worth ₹358 crore with the BCCI, taking over the mantle from Byju’s.
The company also has deep ties with the Indian Premier League (IPL). It has partnered with multiple franchises, had cricketing icons such as MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah as brand ambassadors, and even stepped in as IPL’s title sponsor in 2020 when Vivo exited.
This exit marks the end of a significant chapter in Dream11’s cricketing association, which had not only elevated the brand but also reshaped the sponsorship landscape in Indian sports.
The Bigger Impact of the Online Gaming Ban
The government’s move to outlaw real money-based online games has sent shockwaves across the industry. Dream11, whose business model heavily depends on paid fantasy contests, now finds its future uncertain in India. While the company has declined to comment on its immediate plans, its pullout from cricket sponsorship signals the financial aftershocks of this regulation.
The BCCI, meanwhile, faces the challenge of finding a sponsor willing to step in at short notice for one of the most visible partnerships in Indian sports. Given the high value and global reach of Team India’s brand, industry insiders expect strong interest from sectors such as fintech, consumer electronics, and FMCG.
The sponsorship of Team India has always been a highly coveted deal, previously held by giants like Sahara, Star India, Oppo, and Byju’s. With Dream11 now out, the race is open once again. The upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy later in the year make the property all the more lucrative.
For now, Indian cricket fans will be eagerly waiting not only to see their team in action on the field but also to discover which brand’s logo will adorn the iconic blue jersey in Dubai.
