In a landmark development in Indian cricket sponsorship, Apollo Tyres has replaced Dream11 as the lead sponsor on Team India’s jerseys, signing a blockbuster deal with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) worth Rs 579 crore.
This agreement covers around 130 matches until 2027, with Apollo Tyres reportedly paying nearly ₹4.5 crore per match, slightly higher than Dream11’s previous rate. The deal ensures that Team India’s jerseys will once again feature a lead sponsor’s logo, starting with upcoming international fixtures.
Why Apollo Tyres Stepped In
Following the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, Dream11 — one of India’s biggest online gaming platforms — withdrew from its sponsorship deal. This created a rare gap in Team India’s jersey sponsorship ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, where the national team played without a lead sponsor for the first time in years.
Seeing a lucrative opportunity, Apollo Tyres — India’s global tyre giant — jumped into the fray, outbidding rivals in a tightly contested bidding process.
Inside BCCI’s Bidding Process
The BCCI invited bids from September 2 to 12 for companies interested in sponsoring the men’s and women’s cricket teams. Firms were required to pay Rs 5 lakh (plus GST) to access the Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) document.
However, strict eligibility criteria were in place: cryptocurrency companies, online gaming platforms, alcohol and tobacco firms were barred from applying — signaling a shift to more conventional, family-friendly brands.
A Big Branding Win for Apollo Tyres
The deal not only strengthens Apollo Tyres’ position as a premium Indian brand but also places it alongside some of cricket’s biggest names globally. With cricket’s unmatched reach in India, Apollo Tyres gains front-row visibility in every match played across all formats.
What This Means for Indian Cricket Fans
This fresh deal ensures Team India jerseys regain their iconic sponsor branding ahead of crucial tournaments, including ICC events and bilateral series. It also reflects a shift toward brands from traditional sectors dominating sports sponsorships.
