A lot has happened before the start of Asia Cup 2025 it seems. From calls of boycotting India and Pakistan in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor to initial uncertainty over the venue and now Team India losing its main sponsor. With the series just around the corner, Team India is already making headlines for its new sponsor-less Asia Cup jersey.
The jersey was revealed in a video shared by the Indian Cricket Team and pictures posted by all-rounder Shivam Dube on social media. The jersey displays ‘INDIA’ across the chest along with the Asia Cup 2025 logo, but the space reserved for the central sponsor is left blank.
Dream11 exits as main sponsor
The absence of a lead sponsor follows Dream11’s withdrawal from its contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last month. The deal, worth around Rs 358 crore and originally set to run through 2026, came to an abrupt end after the government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill.
The legislation promotes e-sports and online games while prohibiting online money gaming. The bill severely hit the revenues of online money gaming platforms like Dream11.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had confirmed the exit and recently said that the board is now inviting fresh bids for the team’s lead sponsorship. The Invitation of Expression of Interest (IEOI) will remain open until September 12, with submissions due by September 16.
Dream11 had replaced Byju’s as the lead sponsor in 2023.
When is India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match?
Amid calls of pulling out of the international tournament and not play against Pakistan, the Sports Ministry announced last month that India can plan against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments. It said that India will not engage in any bilateral sports contest with Pakistan but will continue playing against them in multilateral tournaments like the Asia Cup.
The India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to take place on September 14 at 8 pm.