Apollo Tyres wins Indian cricket team's jersey sponsorship rights
What's the story
Apollo Tyres has bagged the jersey sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team till 2028 with a ₹579 crore bid. As per Cricbuzz, the deal was finalized after a competitive bidding process, where Canva and JK Cement were the other contenders. The sponsorship will run from September 2025 to March 2028 and cover around 140 matches across different tournaments. Here are further details.
Sponsorship guidelines
Bidding process and eligibility criteria
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held a bidding process on September 16, after inviting Expression of Interest for the Indian team's Lead Sponsor Rights on September 2. The board had clearly stated that brands related to gaming, betting, cryptocurrency, and tobacco were not eligible to bid. Athleisure and sportswear manufacturers, as well as banking and financial companies, were also excluded from the list.
Financial details
Floor price fixed at ₹3.5 crore per bilateral match
The floor price was fixed at ₹3.5 crore per bilateral match and ₹1.5 crore per International Cricket Council (ICC) game. Apollo's winning bid comfortably surpassed these figures, making it a lucrative deal for the cricket board. The sponsorship deal marks a new chapter for the coveted space on Team India's jersey. Previous sponsors like Dream11, BYJU'S, OPPO, and Sahara have faced regulatory challenges, financial difficulties or reputational issues soon after signing such high-profile deals.
Sponsor transition
Dream11's exit and current situation
Dream11 had to exit the sponsorship deal due to the government's Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which affected its business operations. As a result, there was an immediate need for a new sponsor. Currently, the Indian cricket team is playing without a jersey sponsor in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.