September 4, 2025 | New Delhi, India: The online betting ban in India has compelled the Indian cricket team to seek a new sponsor following the termination of its contract with Dream11 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This development has left the Indian cricket team sponsor position vacant just days before the Asia Cup, creating a critical sponsorship void for Indian cricket. 

Dream11 Exit and Sponsorship Void

Dream11 entered into a three-year agreement valued at ₹358 crore to function as the Indian cricket team sponsor until March 2026. However, the online betting ban in India under the newly introduced Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, prohibited real-money gaming platforms from sponsoring sports events. Consequently, Dream11 terminated the agreement prematurely.

As a result, this action has left the men’s cricket team without a primary sponsor for the forthcoming Asia Cup, which includes a match against Pakistan scheduled for September 14. Official representatives have indicated that the team may commence its opening matches without the presence of a sponsor’s logo.

To fill this gap, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opened bidding for the new Indian cricket team sponsor, with the deadline set for September 16, 2025. Entities related to gaming, betting, and cryptocurrency are barred from participating due to the online betting ban in India.

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has set sponsorship rates at ₹35 million for each bilateral match and ₹15 million for every ICC (International Cricket Council) or ACC (Asian Cricket Council) match. Over an estimated 140 matches in the upcoming cycle, the board expects revenues of ₹452 crore from the new Indian cricket team sponsor, marking nearly a 20% increase compared to Dream11’s deal. The impact of the online betting ban in India is evident, as the board must now rely on traditional corporate brands to step in as the new Indian cricket team sponsor.

Wider Financial Impact

The online betting ban in India is anticipated to have significant repercussions on the financial support and advertising within the sports sector. Analysts within the industry have indicated that the advertising market may experience a decline of approximately ₹10,000 crore. The withdrawal of fantasy gaming companies, who were leading contributors to cricket, directly affects the Indian cricket team sponsor market.

Smaller cricket leagues, which relied heavily on fantasy sports partnerships, are among the most vulnerable to this disruption caused by the online betting ban in India. Endorsement opportunities for major cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant are also set to shrink. Without the backing of fantasy gaming firms, the overall endorsement pool for players may reduce by ₹1,500 crore to ₹2,000 crore annually, limiting potential Indian cricket team sponsor deals.

Historically, fantasy gaming platforms were among the top bidders for becoming the Indian cricket team sponsor, especially during high-profile tournaments. With their exclusion due to the online betting ban in India, the sponsorship ecosystem faces a structural shift. Corporations from sectors such as FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods), telecom, and banking are now expected to emerge as contenders for the Indian cricket team sponsor role.

The broader advertising market, already facing inflationary pressures, is now further challenged by the online betting ban in India. While the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) hopes to offset this by increasing rates for the Indian cricket team sponsor, the long term sustainability of such growth remains uncertain.

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