Cursed Sponsor? Team India’s Jersey Sponsorship Under Scrutiny Amid Gaming Bill Fallout News24 –

If you’ve been watching Indian cricket and politics lately, you might sense déjà vu. It’s as though every time Team India dons a new sponsor, drama follows – like a recurring bad-luck streak for whoever grabs that jersey spot.

Enter Dream11: Cracked Luck or Just Reality Bites?

Dream11 has been emblazoned on the Indian cricket jersey since July 2023 in a Rs 358 crore deal running till March 2026. It was a perfect match: cricket’s broad reach, fantasy sports’ rising popularity. But now, the “dream” is hitting a snag.

With Parliament passing the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, all real-money gaming including Dream11’s signature pay-to-play fantasy contests are now illegal. The bill, which sailed through both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha this week, seeks to protect youth and families from addictive gaming and financial risks.

The Sponsor Tragedy Continues

Dream11 wasn’t the first. Go back to Sahara, Star India, Byju’s, and each had high-profile runs only to end up tangled in legal, financial, or reputational issues. Now Dream11 faces a regulatory knockout: their pay-to-play model the lifeblood of their fantasy platform has been suspended.

Rumour has it, the BCCI is already doing an internal review. “If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said, signaling the board’s intention to comply fully with the new law.

Past & Present Jersey Sponsors:

Wills (ITC) – 1990s (tobacco brand, phased out due to advertising restrictions).

Sahara India – 2001 to 2013 (longest-running sponsor).

Star India – 2014 to 2017 (broadcasting giant).

Oppo – 2017 to 2019 (smartphone brand).

Byju’s – 2019 to 2023 (edtech company, ended early due to financial strain).

Dream11 – 2023 to present (fantasy sports platform, now hit by Online Gaming Bill 2025).

Beyond Bans: What’s Next for Team India & Gaming?

The new law isn’t just a ban – it’s a pivot. It promotes esports, social games, educational titles, and mandates responsible gaming safeguards like player protection and regulatory oversight.

So while Dream11’s real-money play is out, the company and the BCCI could navigate to safer harbors: brand placement tied to esports promotions, creative digital initiatives, or legacy-free casual campaigns that don’t involve cash prizes.

A Tale of Two Legacies

Picture it: Team India stepping out at Eden Gardens, Dream11 branding still there but instead of fantasy payouts, the spotlight shifts to supporting India’s budding esports wave or fostering youth learning through gaming. Could this be the next chapter?

For now, the story’s still unfolding. Will Dream11 pivot and stay? Will another brand – this time from tech, health, or sustainability – snatch the next jersey slot? Only time will tell.

Also Read: Will Dream11 Still Sponsor Team India? BCCI Reacts After Online Gaming Bill Gets Passed, Says ‘We Will Not…’

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