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As the countdown to the Asia Cup 2025 begins, the Indian cricket team is on the verge of signing a new lead jersey sponsor. Automotive giant Toyota has emerged as a strong contender, alongside Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited and a leading fintech company, all vying for one of the most coveted sponsorship slots in global sport.
Dream11’s exit amid regulatory shift
The change comes in the wake of Dream11’s exit as Team India’s jersey sponsor following the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real-money fantasy sports. The fantasy sports giant, once valued at $8 billion, was forced to halt operations in India and terminate its ₹358-crore, three-year deal with the BCCI. Dream11’s logo, a staple on India’s jerseys in recent years, will no longer feature in the Asia Cup.
While Dream11’s sudden departure raised concerns about India entering the Asia Cup without a lead sponsor, the immediate interest from major corporations has eased those fears. The BCCI is now looking to leverage cricket’s unmatched brand power to secure a deal potentially bigger than its previous contract. With Toyota, Jio and the fintech firm in the fray, a high-stakes bidding war is expected.
The front-runners for Team India’s sponsorship
Toyota, with its global footprint and prior cricket sponsorships, notably with Australia, brings strong international credibility. Reliance Jio, already entrenched in Indian sports, sees the opportunity to deepen its association with cricket. The entry of a major fintech brand reflects the growing ambition of digital-first companies to build trust and visibility through cricket.
Also READ: BCCI’s sponsorship cursed? The growing brand casualty list ft. Dream11
Shubman Gill to be Suyakumar Yadav’s deputy in Asia Cup 2025
Amid the sponsorship buzz, the BCCI announced India’s 15-man Asia Cup squad on August 19. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the side, with Shubman Gill as deputy. However, the omission of Shreyas Iyer—despite his stellar IPL 2025 and Champions Trophy run—raised eyebrows. Standby players include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar, offering the team depth and flexibility.
With India set to begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 9, all eyes are not just on the players but also on which brand will secure the prized spot on the team’s jersey—making the tournament a spectacle both on and off the field.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2025: Sanju Samson vs Jitesh Sharma? India’s middle-order dilemma
