The Indian cricket team may enter the Asia Cup without a lead jersey sponsor after Dream11 ended its agreement with the BCCI. The fantasy sports platform ended its contract last month, prompting the cricket board to search for a new sponsor shortly before the tournament’s start.
On September 2nd, the BCCI issued a formal call for expressions of interest (EOI) from potential sponsors. Interested companies have until September 12th to acquire the EOI document, with final bids due on September 16th. The Asia Cup begins on September 9th and ends on September 28th, making it difficult to secure a new sponsor before the tournament.
Dream11’s withdrawal followed a recent Indian government bill regulating online gaming, which banned real-money gaming, the core of Dream11’s business model. Referencing a clause in the contract allowing for exit in such cases, the company informed the BCCI. The Dream11 contract, valued at around USD 44 million (INR 358 crore), was intended to last until 2026.
The BCCI has faced sponsor withdrawals before. Smartphone company OPPO terminated its contract early in 2019, and ed-tech company BYJU’S briefly sponsored before Dream11 came aboard in 2023.
The BCCI’s new invitation prohibits bids from companies associated with alcohol, tobacco, gambling, betting, cryptocurrency, or any service that offends public morals, including pornography.
The Indian team is scheduled to travel to the UAE on September 4th, with group-stage matches against the UAE and Pakistan on September 10th and September 14th in Dubai, followed by a match against Oman on September 19th in Abu Dhabi. India is in Group A, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four phase. The final match will feature the top two teams from this round on September 28th.