Team India is all set for the Asia Cup 2025, which begins on September 9 in the UAE, kicking off their campaign against the UAE. In a rare move in modern cricket, the Men in Blue unveiled a sponsor-less jersey, revealed by all-rounder Shivam Dube. The jersey prominently features “INDIA” across the chest along with the Asia Cup 2025 logo, leaving the central sponsor spot empty—a sight not often seen in Indian cricket.
This change comes after the BCCI terminated its contract with Dream11, Team India’s previous lead sponsor, following the passing of the Online Gaming Bill in Parliament. The Bill promotes E-sports and online social games while prohibiting online money gaming, making it incompatible with fantasy sports sponsorships. Dream11 had replaced Byju’s as the lead sponsor in 2023 with a three-year contract.
The BCCI is now on the hunt for a new lead sponsor, inviting fresh applications. Interested parties can purchase the Invitation of Expression of Interest (IEOI) until September 12, with bid submissions due by September 16. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the search is underway, emphasizing that the Online Gaming Bill was the primary reason behind Dream11’s contract termination.
Shivam Dube’s social media posts with the new jersey have already garnered attention, highlighting a unique moment in Indian cricket history. The sponsor-less jersey not only marks a transitional phase for the team’s commercial partnerships but also brings focus to the Asia Cup 2025 tournament and the upcoming performances of Team India. Fans are eagerly awaiting both the new sponsor announcement and the team’s performance in the tournament, making this one of the most talked-about pre-Asia Cup developments.
