Apollo Tyres has been announced as the new lead sponsor for India’s national cricket team, replacing Dream11. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the partnership on September 16, 2025, marking a significant development in Indian sports sponsorship. The deal, valued at ₹579.06 crore, spans two and a half years and will run through March 2028. Under the agreement, Apollo Tyres’ logo will feature prominently on the jerseys of both the men’s and women’s national teams across all formats of the game. This partnership represents Apollo Tyres’ first major foray into cricket sponsorship and aligns the brand with one of the most followed sports in the country.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia described the agreement as more than a commercial deal, emphasizing the mutual trust and respect between the two organizations. Apollo Tyres’ Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Neeraj Kanwar, expressed pride in the association, highlighting cricket’s popularity not only in India but across the world. The sponsorship is expected to boost the brand’s visibility and deepen its engagement with cricket fans nationwide. The move also underscores the growing role of strategic sponsorships in shaping consumer connections and brand recall in sports.
Dream11’s Exit Amid Online Gaming Ban
Dream11’s departure as Team India’s sponsor was driven by regulatory changes in India’s online gaming sector. The Indian government recently enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans real-money online gaming platforms, including fantasy sports, and restricts their advertising and sponsorship activities. Dream11, one of the country’s largest fantasy gaming platforms, had signed a ₹358 crore agreement with the BCCI in 2023, making it the lead sponsor at that time.
However, with the new legislation coming into force, the partnership became unsustainable. To ensure compliance with the law and protect the integrity of cricket sponsorship, the BCCI terminated the agreement with Dream11. This decision reflects broader concerns about the influence of online gaming on sports and its ethical, financial, and social implications. Dream11’s exit highlights the challenges that emerging industries face in navigating evolving regulatory frameworks and balancing growth with compliance.
The shift from Dream11 to Apollo Tyres signals a strategic recalibration by the BCCI as it adapts to new policies while maintaining strong commercial partnerships. Apollo Tyres’ entry into cricket sponsorship reinforces the importance of associating with brands that align with long-term values and consumer trust, setting the stage for future collaborations in a rapidly changing sports ecosystem.
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