As India gears up for its Asia Cup 2025 campaign, a small but striking detail has caught the eye of fans – Team India will take the field without a jersey sponsor.
In an era where sponsorship logos dominate team kits, this move has certainly raised eyebrows.
The confirmation came from none other than Shivam Dube, who posted pictures of himself on Instagram donning the fresh new India jersey. But what stood out more than the vibrant blue and tricolor accents was what wasn’t there – the missing sponsor logo.
The jersey only features “INDIA” across the chest and the Asia Cup 2025 tournament logo, with the central sponsor spot conspicuously left blank.
A Sponsor-less Start After Dream11 Deal Ends
This development comes after the end of BCCI’s sponsorship deal with Dream11, which previously held the spot as Team India’s lead jersey sponsor. With the contract now expired, India enters a major multinational tournament without a primary sponsor on its kit – a rare sight in modern cricket.
Earlier this week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invited fresh applications for the team’s lead sponsorship. The process to find a new partner is underway, with the last date to purchase the Invitation of Expression of Interest (IEOI) being September 12, and submission of bids set for September 16.
Why No Sponsor Yet?
According to sources close to the board, the BCCI is taking extra precautions this time. The organization is keen to avoid repeating any issues that emerged during the Dream11 stint. In fact, this time around, the board has also issued a list of banned and prohibited categories, making it clear that only brands aligning with the BCCI’s guidelines will be considered.
This cautious approach has delayed the onboarding of a new sponsor – a decision that now sees Team India walking into a major continental tournament with a clean jersey, free from commercial branding.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Campaign Begins Soon
India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. The Men in Blue will kick off their campaign on September 10 against UAE, followed by the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 14. The group stage wraps up on September 19 against Oman.
While fans may notice the missing sponsor on the jersey, the focus for Rohit Sharma and Co. will firmly remain on the cricket field and on bringing the trophy home.
A Statement or a Situation?
Whether this sponsor-less jersey is a temporary hiccup or a symbolic statement about the BCCI’s stricter commercial guidelines, it certainly sets a new tone ahead of the Asia Cup. And for players like Shivam Dube, the focus will be to let the cricket – not the kit – do the talking.