Apollo Tyres Replaces Dream11 As Team India Sponsor

The Indian cricket team has found a new jersey sponsor in Apollo Tyres, who will now feature on the front of the team’s kit. This major partnership marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for Indian cricket sponsorship, with Apollo stepping in after Dream11’s exit. The deal will run until 2027 and cover over 130 matches, making it one of the most significant sponsorships in recent years.

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The Value of the Deal

Apollo Tyres has agreed to pay Rs 4.5 crores per game, which is higher than the Rs 4 crores paid by the previous sponsor, Dream11. This increase shows the growing demand for visibility on the Indian team jersey, one of the most watched spaces in world cricket.

Duration and Coverage

🚨 BREAKING NEWS
Apollo Tyres becomes the official jersey sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team!
A fresh partnership for a fresh era in Indian cricket. #ApolloTyres #IndianCricket #BreakingNews #CricketUpdate #IndianCricketTeam #TeamIndia #ApolloTyres #SportsSponsorship… pic.twitter.com/EetUo3zNiP

— Sports Digest (@SportsDigestINT) September 16, 2025

The sponsorship agreement will continue until 2027, during which the Indian team is expected to play around 130 matches across formats. This long-term deal ensures financial stability and strong brand association for Apollo Tyres.

Other Bidders in the Race

While Apollo Tyres emerged as the winner, there were other strong contenders in the race:

Canva and JK Tyre were active bidders.
Birla Optus Paints showed interest but chose not to participate in the bidding process.

This indicates how valuable the jersey sponsorship is, attracting both Indian and global brands.

The Bidding Process

The bidding took place on September 16, 2025, after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) on September 2, 2025.

As per BCCI’s rules, certain categories of brands were not allowed to participate. These included:

Gaming and betting companies
Crypto brands
Tobacco firms
Sportswear manufacturers
Banks and financial companies
Non-alcoholic cold drink brands
Household appliance makers (like fans, mixer grinders, locks)
Insurance companies

By setting these guidelines, BCCI aimed to attract credible, long-term partners that align with cricket’s family-friendly image.

The immediate search for a new jersey sponsor came after Dream11’s exit. The fantasy sports company was heavily impacted by the government’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which changed the way online gaming businesses could operate. As a result, Dream11 had to withdraw from its role as Team India’s lead sponsor.

During the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Team India played without a jersey sponsor. This was unusual for the world’s richest cricket board and highlighted the urgency of securing a new deal before upcoming major tournaments.