Asia Cup 2025: In the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian cricket team will be seen on the field in a unique style. Team India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, will play without a lead sponsor on their jersey this time.
This means that only the word “India” will be flashed in big and neat letters on the players’ jerseys. The change happened because fantasy sports platform Dream11 recently terminated its contract with the BCCI.
Why did Dream11’s contract break?
Dream11 canceled its agreement after the Indian government’s new online gaming promotion and regulation bill. According to this bill, real-money gaming has been banned, while Dream11’s business model is based on it.
- The deal was signed in 2023.
- Its value was around US $ 44 million (Rs 358 crore).
- The contract was to run till 2026, but the company used the exit clause midway.
Big setback before Asia Cup
Often the Indian team has been wearing the jersey without sponsor in ICC tournaments, but this will be the first time in a non-ICC tournament.
The BCCI has started the process of finding a new sponsor fast.
- On September 2, the board issued an “Invitation to Tender”.
- Interested companies can buy ITT till September 12.
- The final bid will be held on September 16.
However, the Asia Cup is starting on September 9, so it is likely that Team India’s jersey will be seen without any branding in the initial matches.
This has happened before also.
This is not the first time that a big company has left the contract in the middle.
- In 2019, Oppo left the agreement midway.
- After this, the BCCI gave Byju‘s a chance.
- After Byju’s, this responsibility was taken over by Dream11, which has now left.
Who can bid?
The BCCI has made it clear that only companies that adhere to Indian values and legal norms can bid.
- Companies dealing in alcohol, gambling, cryptocurrency, online money gaming, tobacco and pornographic content are excluded from bidding.
Team India’s Asia Cup Schedule
The Indian team will leave for the UAE on September 4.
India are placed in Group A along with Pakistan, UAE and Oman.
- 10 September: India vs UAE (Dubai)
- 14 September: India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
- 19 September: India vs Oman (Abu Dhabi)
Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. The top two teams from both groups will reach Super-4 and the final will be played on September 28.
Even though there is no branding on Team India’s jersey after the exit of Dream11, this change is also a proud occasion for the fans. The word “India” will look more powerful and shiny on the jersey without any advertisements.
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