On August 25, the BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, announced the end of the five-year deal with Dream11. Dream11 was the jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team, but the agreement had to be cut short after the newly passed Online Gaming Bill came into effect.
The Indian team even entered the Asia Cup 2025 without a jersey sponsor. However, after a competitive bidding process, Apollo Tyres has officially become the new sponsor of the Indian cricket team’s jersey, securing a three-year deal worth ₹579 crore. In this blog, we cover all the sponsors, their bidding price, tenure, and conditions to become the Indian cricket jersey sponsor.
List Of The India Cricket Team Sponsors
Here is the list of all companies that sponsored the Indian team from 1993 to 2026. Even after becoming the World Cup winner in 1983, the Indian team secured its first sponsor a decade later.
1. ITC Limited (1993-01)
ITC Limited was the first-ever official sponsor of the Indian cricket team from June 1993 to May 2001. This was the first major team sponsorship deal for the Indian cricket team.
The sponsorship included the “Wills” brand and also ITC Hotels. During the nine-year partnership, ITC paid around ₹35 lakhs per Test match and ₹32 lakhs per One Day International (ODI), which were significant amounts at that time.
The sponsorship ended in 2001 due to the Indian government’s new regulations on tobacco advertising and sponsorship, which prohibited tobacco companies from promoting their brands. Sahara took over the sponsorship rights after ITC Limited exited.
2. Sahara India (2001-13)
Sahara India Pariwar was the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team from 2001 to 2013, making the longest sponsorship tenure in Indian cricket history. The deal was renewed in 2010, during which the Indian cricket board earned approximately ₹3.34 crore per match.
During Sahara’s sponsorship period, the Indian cricket team achieved significant success. They won the ICC Champions Trophy (2002), the ICC World Twenty20 Trophy (2007), the Asia Cup (2010), the ICC Cricket World Cup (2011), and the ICC Champions Trophy (2013) again.
The sponsorship period ended in 2013 due to the increasing difference between Sahara and BCCI, as well as the regulations and financial strains imposed by SEBI. Sahara also owned an IPL team, Pune Warriors India, from 2011 to 2013.
3. Star India (2014-17)
Star India was the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2017. This sponsorship marked the end of Sahara’s 12-year partnership with the Indian cricket team.
The deal obtained through ₹1.92 crore per bilateral international match and ₹61 lakh per ICC tournament match.
Star India was also the broadcaster of Indian cricket with media rights from July 2012 to March 2018. Their sponsorship deal lasted for about three years and was not renewed after March 2017.
4. Oppo (2017-19)
Oppo Mobiles India was the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team from April 1, 2017, to approximately mid-2019. Their original contract was for a 5-year term, which was expected to expire on March 31, 2022.
The deal was worth ₹1,079 crore (approximately $162 million) for the entire five-year sponsorship, making it one of the most expensive sponsorship deals in Indian cricket history at the time.
Financially, Oppo paid approximately ₹4.61 crore per bilateral match and around ₹1.51 crore for matches in ICC tournaments. The contract covered around 14 home series and 20 overseas series during this period.
Despite the initial 5-year contract, Oppo exited the sponsorship in 2019, as they deemed the deal ”extremely high” and “unsustainable”.
5. Byju’s (2019-23)
Byju’s was the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team from September 5, 2019, until March 31, 2023. This sponsorship began when Byju’s acquired the rights from Oppo, which had initially signed a 5-year deal from 2017 to 2022 but exited early.
The sponsorship was an agreement where Byju’s inherited the remaining term of Oppo’s contract. The sponsorship deal was valued at around $55 million (approximately ₹440 crore) for the term it was held by Byju’s.
Byju’s paid approximately ₹4.61 crore per bilateral match and ₹1.51 crore per match in ICC matches. The company extended its deal by 18 months after the original term expired in March 2022. However, Byju’s faced issues in paying dues to the BCCI and eventually exited by March 2023.
6. Dream 11 (2023-25)
From 2023 to 2025, Dream11 was the lead sponsor of the Indian cricket team. India’s biggest fantasy sports platform signed a 3-year deal with the BCCI valued at approximately ₹358 crore for 158 matches. This deal made Dream11 the primary brand displayed on the front of Team India’s jersey by replacing the previous sponsor, Byju’s.
However, in 2025, the BCCI ended the Dream11 sponsorship prematurely following the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which banned real-money gaming and related advertising in India.
7. Apollo Tyres (2025 – Current)
Apollo Tyres, one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers, has become the official Indian cricket team jersey sponsor with a record ₹579 crore deal running until 2027.
Known for its strong global presence and past partnerships with European football clubs, Apollo Tyres has now made a big move into cricket sponsorship.
By securing the front-of-jersey rights, the brand will gain unmatched visibility during international matches, while also strengthening its connection with millions of passionate cricket fans across India and worldwide.
BCCI’s Base Price and Bidding Process For Sponsorship
For the 2025 sponsorship cycle, the BCCI set a base price of ₹3.5 crore per bilateral match and ₹1.5 crore per multilateral match, a 10% increase compared to the previous Dream11 deal. The sponsor would receive prime visibility on the front of the jersey during bilateral matches, with limited branding on the sleeves for ICC or ACC tournaments.
Companies interested in bidding were required to first pay a non-refundable fee of ₹4 lakh plus GST by September 12, 2025, in order to access official bid documents. Complete sponsorship bids then had to be submitted by the final deadline of September 16, 2025.
Through this process, Apollo Tyres emerged as the highest bidder, securing a three-year deal worth ₹579 crore and becoming the new Indian cricket jersey sponsor until 2027.
BCCI’s Criteria for Jersey Sponsorship Bidders
With the BCCI tightening rules for jersey sponsorship, only companies that meet strict financial and ethical standards can participate. These rules explain why Dream11 had to exit and why Apollo Tyres, Canva, and JK Cements were among the eligible bidders.
Key Eligibility Criteria:
- Companies must be financially strong, with an average annual turnover of at least ₹300 crore or a net worth of ₹300 crore over the last three years.
- The company should not be involved in real money gaming, betting, or gambling anywhere in the world.
- Companies should not manufacture sin goods like tobacco products, alcohol, or sugary and carbonated drinks.
- The BCCI bans companies that conflict with existing sponsors, such as sportswear brands (because Adidas is already the kit sponsor) and certain financial sectors.
- No surrogate bidding is allowed — companies can’t submit bids indirectly through another brand.
- Applicants must clear the Fit and Proper Person Test, proving a clean record free from fraud, economic offences, criminal convictions, or defaults.
These rules ensured that Apollo Tyres’ bid was fully compliant, making them eligible to secure the record-breaking sponsorship deal until 2027.
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Conclusion: Apollo Tyres Takes Over as New Jersey Sponsor
Six companies have sponsored the Indian jersey so far, with Sahara India Pariwar holding the longest tenure. With Dream11’s exit due to gaming regulations and the BCCI’s stricter rules, Apollo Tyres has stepped in as the new sponsor with a record-breaking ₹579 crore deal until 2027.
This shows that only financially strong and compliant companies can meet the BCCI’s new standards. Apollo Tyres’ entry sets a new benchmark, highlighting how credibility and financial strength are now the key factors in securing India’s jersey sponsorship.
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