NEW DELHI: The BCCI's decision to invite applications for the lead sponsorship of the Indian cricket team makes it clear that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side will play the Asia Cup without a lead sponsor, as the deadline for submitting bids has been set for September 16.
The move comes after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract with the BCCI, following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill in Parliament, which imposes a blanket ban on real-money online games.
This will be the first time that Indian players will don jersey without title sponsorship in a non-ICC tournament.
Moving swiftly to fill the vacant title sponsorship slot, the BCCI has launched a fresh bidding process. On September 2, the board issued an 'Invitation to Tender' (ITT), inviting companies to express interest in acquiring the lead sponsorship rights of the Indian cricket team. Firms can purchase the ITT until September 12, while the deadline for submitting final bids is September 16.
The team has faced a similar situation in the past, when OPPO pulled out midway through its contract in 2019, leading to ed-tech firm Byju’s stepping in until Dream11 took over in 2023.
The BCCI has set clear guidelines for potential bidders in its press release: "Bidder, including any of its Group companies: (i) should not be engaged in online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services in India or anywhere in the world; (ii) should not provide any online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services to any Person in India; and (iii) should not have any investment or ownership interest in any Person engaged in betting or gambling services in India."
The BCCI further clarified: "To clarify, a bidder, including any of its Group companies, engaged in any activities/business that is prohibited under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is not permitted to submit a bid." The board has also excluded companies dealing in tobacco, alcohol, and content that could "offend public morals" from the bidding process.
