Following the recent partnership conclusion with Dream 11 after the Indian government decided to ban all online games that reportedly involve financial transactions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now seeking Rs. 450 crore sponsorship deal for the year 2025-2028.
Amid this news, it should be noted that the brands that have been associated with the team India sponsor deal have faced a downfall; call it a coincidence, but the reality is that the brands like Sahara, Star India, Oppo, and Byju faced a setback, creating a bad reputation in their business.
[TRENDING] BCCI’s Rs. 450cr Sponsorship Hunt
BCCI, one of the richest and successful cricket boards in the world, is currently facing hurdles in its business development as its main jersey sponsor, Dream 11, reportedly terminated its contract following the Online Gaming Bill in the parliament.
As the Asia Cup 2025 is approaching, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is having a struggling period to find a reliable sponsor and print the jersey in the meantime.
As per the different reports published online, BCCI is looking for a INR. 450 crore deal with new sponsorship for the 2025-2028 period.
BCCI is eyeing sponsors who will back Team India for 140 matches, including both home and away bilateral, as well as multi-team tournaments organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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Similarly, the BCCI has asked for INR 3.5 crore per bilateral match and Rs 1.5 crore for ICC and ACC fixtures, which is considered more than Dream11. Talking with ANI, BCCI secretary, Devajit Saika said, “BCCI and Dream 11 are discontinuing their relationship after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, was passed. BCCI will ensure not to indulge with any such organizations in the future.”
With Dream11 out after the new real-money gaming ban, BCCI is seeking a new front-of-jersey sponsor worth ₹452 crore for 2025–28. pic.twitter.com/XHPuHaLHo6
— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) August 30, 2025
Past Sponsorship Challenges
After the news broke out about the termination of the sponsorship deal between the BCCI and Dream 11, social media and different media outlets are reporting the curse the team India jersey carries with it, leading different brands to crash out.
Before Dream 11 was on board with sponsorship rights for BCCI, several brands had tied the knot with the board from the year 2001 to 2022.
The brands like Sahara, Star India, Oppo, and Byju’s faced consequences, be it a legal or financial one, when they were associated with the BCCI.
Here is the brief timeline of the main sponsors of Team India to date:
| Period | Sponsor |
| 2001–2013 | Sahara |
| 2014–2017 | Star India |
| 2017–2020 | Oppo |
| 2020–2022 | BYJU’S |
| 2023–present | Dream11 |
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Sahara
Sahara was one of the brands that was able to get associated with the BCCI for the longest time. From the year 2001 to 2013, Sahara served as Team India’s sponsor, where India went on to win the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the T20 World Cup in 2007. However, the sponsorship curse started when Sahara faced huge legal and financial troubles, including a SEBI dispute and the imprisonment of its owner.
Star India
Following the termination with Sahara, BCCI tied with Star India as a main sponsor. Star India was the main sponsor for Team India from the year 2014-2017, during which Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma flourished the most.
However, the agreement between them was concluded due to antitrust probes and also due to the increasing sponsorship cost, which led them to focus more on broadcasting rights.
Oppo
During 2017-2020, BCCI made a deal with Oppo for a whopping sum of Rs. 1079 crore. The brand gained massive popularity during this period, but was not able to afford the sponsorship rights due to the expensive deal.
Moreover, reportedly the India-China tension during that period compelled the BCCI to terminate sponsorship with Oppo.
BYJU’S
After Oppo, BYJU’S made a deal to become Team India’s sponsor, serving the BCCI from 2020-2022. But the curse began and just like that, the brand faced financial problems leading to debt and bankruptcy, ending the sponsor deal.
It is also reported that BYJU’S market slowed and eventually crashed when they were sponsoring the BCCI during 2020-2022.
Dream 11
Following the termination of the contract with BYJU’S, BCCI roped in Dream 11 in a 3-year contract for Rs. 358 crore. It is a popular online gaming platform, used especially by fantasy gamers. But the recent ban from the Indian government on the gaming platforms that involved financial transactions led BCCI to conclude the partnership with Dream 11.
Amit Mishra’s Take
From my point of view, the current scenario of the Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding the sponsorship hunt for Rs. 450 crore seems to be a legit one.
As Team India has always been able to pull off incredible performances time and again, benefiting everyone involved with them. But the real question lies in this is if the BCCI is really a curse for the main sponsorship.
Looking at the past, every brand who has been roped in as Team India’s sponsor has eventually failed. But this series of events can only be taken as a coincidence rather than an actual curse for brands.
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