Team India To Play Asia Cup 2025 Without Jersey Sponsor? Dream11 Pulls Out Just 2 Weeks Before Tournament: Report News24 –

Little more than two weeks from the beginning of the Asia Cup in the UAE, Team India is now facing an unexpected sponsorship crisis. Fantasy games platform Dream11 has reportedly withdrawn as the national team’s principal jersey sponsor after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which prohibits fantasy sports and online betting platforms, was passed.

Dream11 Backs Out

As per an NDTV report, Dream11 has told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it “is not willing to continue its agreement.” Though neither of them has issued a statement as of now, sources indicate the BCCI will issue an invitation for new bids to occupy the sponsorship position before the continental tournament.

Will Team India Go Without Jersey Sponsor?

The update comes at a very significant situation as India will be playing the Asia Cup in about two weeks and if no replacement sponsor is found on time, the Indian team may have to play the tournament without a lead jersey sponsor. Reports also say that the new India jerseys with Dream11 branding had already been produced, but those kits will never be used.

The Sponsor Curse Continues

Dream11, which came on board in July 2023 with a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore, now finds itself on a growing list of Indian jersey sponsors whose partnerships ended due to financial or legal troubles:

Sahara (2001–2013) – embroiled in SEBI’s regulatory disputes.

Star India (2014–2017) – faced scrutiny from the Competition Commission of India.

Oppo (2017–2020) – withdrew citing financial difficulties.

Byju’s (2020–2023) – concluded their partnership on a sour note, as BCCI took them to court for unpaid dues.

India’s Asia Cup Campaign

Apart from off-field crises, the attention will soon return to cricket. Suryakumar Yadav’s India will kick-start their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against the UAE, and then has a blockbuster encounter with Pakistan on September 14 in the Dubai International Stadium. They will face Oman in their last group-stage game on September 19.