In the aftermath of the Online Gaming Act, the Indian cricket team is most likely to feature in the Asia Cup 2025 with no logo or sponsor on the blue jersey. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is left with a limited time slot to replace jersey sponsor after ending ties with Dream11 following the ban on advertising of real-money online games.
BCCI’s Sponsorship Dilemma After Dream11 Era Ends
As soon as the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, became an Act under Indian law, the BCCI stood at the crossroads once again, with a history of parting ways with jersey sponsors in an abrupt manner. The 358-crore deal with Dream11 came to an end, despite this contract was signed for an extended period up to 2026.
The vision of BCCI is to confirm a long-term relationship with a focus on the 2027 ODI World Cup instead of bringing a short-term partner for only the Asia Cup. The tournament is set to begin on September 9, due to which they are short on time.
In a latest meeting organised by BCCI on August 28, Rajeev Shukla addressed the next plans. Meanwhile, the professionals identified the chances of welcoming a new sponsor. They have plenty of options, but the lack of time is a major concern.
Online Gaming Act
In the Parliament, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was approved on August 21, 2025. It turned immediately effective after the bill getting assented by President Droupadi Murmu.
“This legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on misleading promises of quick wealth. It reflects the Government’s resolve to safeguard families while guiding the digital economy towards safe and constructive growth.” An excerpt from the online gaming bill, 2025 says.
“Strict punishments have been introduced. Offering or facilitating online money games can lead to imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to one crore rupees. Financial transactions linked to these games are also punishable with similar penalties. Advertising such games can attract a jail term of up to two years and a fine of up to fifty lakh rupees.” A section under Offences and Penalties cover the dire consequences of advertising online money games.
No Jersey Sponsor for Team India in Asia Cup
As Asia Cup will get underway, the BCCI might be in no mood to find a temporary solution. A broader picture is being considered to resolve the matter from the grassroots as before Dream11, several other partners hand to end their tenure over their own issues – Byju’s (2019-2023) separated over financial collapse and OPPO (2017-2019) suffered from geopolitical and business challenges before Dream11 parting ways due to serious policy change around online money games.
Earlier, Devajit Saikia, who is the BCCI secretary, voiced the truth that they have moved on from the partnership with Dream11, accepting that the officials are working on the process to fetch a new jersey sponsor for the national cricket sides of India.
Certainly, it is a bizarre moment in modern-day cricket for Team India to play a big tournament without an official jersey sponsor.
