Apollo Tyres Takes Over Team India Jersey Sponsor in 2025

The Indian cricket team has found a new jersey sponsor after Dream11 ended its association due to new government regulations on online gaming. Apollo Tyres, a well-known Indian multinational tyre manufacturer, has secured the jersey sponsorship rights until 2027 in a deal that exceeds the previous sponsorship amount paid by Dream11. This development comes at a crucial time as India competes in the Asia Cup 2025, currently without a jersey sponsor on the field.

Apollo Tyres will reportedly pay around Rs 4.5 crore per game for the sponsorship, surpassing Dream11’s Rs 4 crore per game commitment. With nearly 130 international matches scheduled during the contract period, this deal represents one of the most lucrative in recent Indian cricket history. The company’s logo will feature prominently on the Indian cricket team’s jerseys, providing significant brand visibility on a global sporting stage.

The exit of Dream11, which had signed a three-year deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2023 worth Rs 358 crore (roughly $40.8 million), was prompted by the government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The law bans real-money online gaming and its promotion, significantly affecting businesses like Dream11. The BCCI confirmed they would no longer engage with sponsors linked to gaming, betting, crypto, or tobacco sectors in future deals. Dream11’s departure left the Indian team without a sponsor just weeks before the Asia Cup began, reflecting the sudden regulatory impact on cricket-related sponsorships.

The BCCI quickly opened a fresh bidding process for jersey sponsorship in early September 2025 and Apollo Tyres won out against other contenders such as Canva and JK Tyre. Interestingly, brands related to gaming, finance, certain consumer goods, and other categories were barred from bidding to ensure compliance with new legal guidelines. Apollo Tyres’ successful bid highlights the continuing appeal and business value of cricket sponsorship, which remains a vital source of revenue for the BCCI.

This sponsorship transition illustrates how regulatory changes can abruptly reshape sports marketing landscapes. Companies closely tied to sectors like online gaming now face restrictions, while others like Apollo Tyres are presenting themselves as viable new partners to leverage the vast visibility Indian cricket offers. The government’s push for tighter online gaming controls impacts economic and advertising ecosystems linked to sports, prompting creative re-alignments in sponsorship relationships.

For the Indian cricket teams, sponsorships like these are more than just financial deals—they actively shape branding, fan engagement, and global market presence. Having a stable sponsor through to 2027 provides security for the teams and the Board, helping fund player development programs, cricket infrastructure, and international tours. Apollo Tyres’ entry also signals confidence in cricket’s enduring reach and appeal despite regulatory shifts.

In conclusion, Apollo Tyres replacing Dream11 as the jersey sponsor marks a significant moment in Indian cricket sponsorship. It reflects how governance, commerce, and sports intersect, requiring adaptability from all stakeholders. For fans and the broader cricket community, it ensures that despite regulatory changes, Team India continues to present a united and professionally backed front on the international stage. The upcoming cricket fixtures until 2027 will showcase this collaboration, which both parties hope will be mutually beneficial and impactful.

This new sponsorship phase offers a neutral, insightful view of the evolving business environment surrounding Indian cricket, where regulation and opportunity converge in the game’s commercial heartland.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies