Apollo Tyres Is New Indian Cricket Team Sponsor, Replaces Dream 11

The iconic blue jersey of Team India is set to carry a new name-Apollo Tyres. In a major shake-up, the homegrown tyre giant has replaced Dream11 as the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team, sealing a deal that stretches through 2027.

The switch isn't just cosmetic. Apollo Tyres has agreed to pay ₹4.5 crore per match, a figure that edges past Dream11's ₹4 crore contribution and signals how coveted cricket sponsorships remain, despite regulatory hurdles reshaping the landscape. With India's men's and women's teams playing across packed calendars, the brand is betting on unparalleled global visibility.

Why Dream11 Bowed Out

Dream11's association came to an abrupt halt after the government's ban on betting-related and real-money gaming apps under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act. For fantasy sports companies, once dominant players in cricket sponsorship, this has been a financial blow. Collectively, Dream11 and My11Circle had pumped nearly ₹1,000 crore into Indian cricket sponsorships, including the IPL. Now, the field is open for brands from more conventional sectors.

What It Means for Indian Cricket

The sponsorship change comes at a critical juncture. The men's team is in the Asia Cup, fresh off wins against the UAE and Pakistan and eyeing Oman on September 19. The women's side, meanwhile, is battling Australia in a home ODI series as they prepare for the Women's World Cup later this month. Whether the new Apollo Tyres logo will make its debut on their jerseys during the tournament remains uncertain.

The Bigger Picture

For Apollo Tyres, this isn't just about cricket-it's about cementing a brand presence on the world stage. For Indian cricket, the deal underlines the sport's resilience as a sponsorship magnet, even as government regulations shut the door on some of its most deep-pocketed backers.

As one era of fantasy gaming-fuelled sponsorship ends, another begins-this time, with rubber hitting the road.