In an unexpected turn of events occurring just weeks prior to the commencement of the Asia Cup 2025, the Indian cricket team is encountering an extraordinary circumstance. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally concluded its primary sponsorship arrangement with the fantasy sports platform Dream11, a decision prompted by the enactment of a recent governmental legislative measure.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which has secured endorsement from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, prohibits all modalities of monetary-based online games and the endorsement thereof within India. Consequently, Dream11 was compelled to discontinue its remunerated contests, rendering its three-year, INR 358 crore agreement with the BCCI untenable.
The Indian team’s apparel, which had already been imprinted with the Dream11 emblem in anticipation of the tournament, will now remain unused. As the Asia Cup in the UAE is scheduled to inaugurate on September 9, the national squad currently lacks a jersey sponsor. The BCCI has commenced the undertaking of identifying a substitute, though the constrained timeframe diminishes the probability of a new sponsor being secured prior to the tournament’s commencement. This denotes a noteworthy juncture for the Indian team, which, potentially for the first instance in recent years, will engage in a major tournament sans the emblem of a primary sponsor on its jersey.
Main jersey sponsors of Asia Cup 2025 teams
The Asia Cup 2025 showcases eight participating teams, each characterized by a distinct sponsorship framework. The tournament will garner particular consideration for the Indian team, poised to enter the field without a main jersey sponsor for the first occasion in several years.
1. Pakistan: The principal associate of the Pakistan national cricket team is Pepsi, a well-established affiliation that originated in the 1990s. The Pakistan Cricket Board formalized a one-year extension with the beverage conglomerate in 2020 and has reportedly sustained the renewal of the partnership. This enduring alliance renders Pepsi among the most recognizable and consistently present sponsors in international cricket.
2. Sri Lanka: Dialog Axiata PLC, a distinguished provider of mobile connectivity within Sri Lanka, functions as the official sponsor for the national cricket teams. This protracted partnership, which commenced in 2013, was recently broadened to encompass not solely the men’s and women’s international teams but also grassroots cricket developmental initiatives. Dialog’s patronage extends to additional sports within the nation as well, underscoring their dedication to the athletic advancement of the country.
3. Bangladesh: Mobile network operator Robi Axiata Limited has resumed its role as the sponsor of the Bangladesh men’s cricket team. The corporation formalized a three-and-a-half-year accord with the Bangladesh Cricket Board in February 2025, valued at 50 crore Taka. Robi had formerly sponsored the team spanning from 2015 to 2018 prior to withdrawing, but has now reinstated its commitment to the sport.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Robi Axiata Limited signed a sponsorship agreement today that will see Robi as the National Cricket Team sponsor up to 31st of July, 2027.#Cricket | #BCB | #robi | #TeamSponsorship pic.twitter.com/UIdnuxYi0U
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) February 16, 2024
4. Afghanistan: The Afghanistan national cricket team is primarily backed by the telecommunications enterprise Etisalat. The partnership was prolonged in June 2024 via a competitive bidding procedure, thereby conferring upon Etisalat entitlements spanning all home and away internationals, alongside ICC and ACC tournaments and domestic competitions in 2025.
5. United Arab Emirates: The Emirates Cricket Board has a partnership with Virat as a key official sponsor of the national cricket teams. The UAE team also features other sponsors in specific series and tournaments, such as the recently concluded T20i Tri-Series in Sharjah, which was partnered by Bank Alfalah and Inverex Solar Energy.
6. Hong Kong: Cricket Hong Kong, China (CHK) has several partners that support the national teams. The primary sponsors include Arivaa Sports, Sports Management outfit, announced just couple of days ago mainly for the Asia Cup 2025.
We’re thrilled to announce @arivaasports as the official Sponsor of the Hong Kong Men’s Cricket Team🏏
From the grassroots to the global stage, this partnership fuels our journey to the Asia Cup 2025 and beyond.
Here’s to new milestones and a brighter future for cricket in Hong… pic.twitter.com/QmHeam8TVF
— Cricket Hong Kong, China (@CricketHK) August 22, 2025
7. Oman: Omantel serves as the associate and grassroots nourishment partner for the Oman national cricket teams. The company has extended its sponsorship to support the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and athletic excellence at various levels of the sport within the country.
