The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun the hunt for Team India’s next lead sponsor after Dream11 stepped away earlier this year. On September 2, the board released its Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI), which spells out the rules, eligibility norms and restrictions for potential bidders.
Who can apply
According to the IEOI, any global company can apply for the sponsorship, either directly or through its parent or subsidiary, provided it has purchased the official bidding document. To qualify, interested bidders must meet a high financial threshold that shows an average turnover of at least Rs 300 crore or an average net worth of Rs 300 crore over the past three audited years.
Applicants must also pass BCCI’s “Fit and Proper Person” test, which requires a clean record free from fraud, economic offences, criminal convictions, conflicts of interest, or defaults. Current BCCI sponsors in categories like banking, insurance, sportswear and beverages are permitted to renew their deals.
Who cannot apply
At the same time, the cricket board has drawn clear red lines on who cannot participate. Companies linked to betting, gambling, online money gaming, cryptocurrency, alcohol, tobacco or any business that could be considered against public morals, including pornography, are barred outright.
In addition, certain brand categories already covered by existing sponsorships remain closed to new entrants. These include banks and financial services, insurance companies, sportswear and athleisure brands, non-alcoholic cold beverages, as well as consumer appliance makers of fans, mixer grinders and safety locks.
The BCCI has also cautioned against surrogate branding, making it clear that bids submitted under proxy or misleading brand names will not be entertained.
Key dates and stakes
To access the bidding documents, companies must pay a non-refundable fee of Rs 5 lakh plus GST by September 12, 2025, with the final date for bid submissions set for September 16, 2025.
With Team India among the most marketable sports properties globally, the sponsorship is expected to draw interest from leading corporates and multinational brands. However, the combination of high financial thresholds and strict bans on certain sectors means the race will be limited to a narrower pool of eligible players.
