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The Indian cricket team is expected to play the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025 without a lead sponsor following Dream 11’s withdrawal from the contract last month.
The recent development comes after Dream 11— India team sponsor terminated its contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on August 25.
This decision came after the Indian government passed a bill to ban real-money gaming—its primary line of business.
Dream 11 formally notified the BCCI of its exit soon after the legislation was passed. Notably, Dream 11’s contract was set to last until next year and was worth USD 44 million.
Meanwhile, on September 2, the Indian cricket board commenced the process of finding a new India team sponsor by releasing an invitation for expression of interest.
With the Asia Cup starting on September 9, it is highly unlikely that the team will get a new sponsor as per the dates of expression of interest, which are September 12—final date for expression, and September 16— a date for final bid.
For the unversed, BCCI has faced similar challenges in the past with its lead sponsors ending contracts before their timelines.
The Indian team is placed in Group A with Oman, Pakistan, and the UAE in the Asia Cup. The Men in Blue are set to leave for the UAE on September 4.
They will kick off their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on September 10 before squaring off against arch-rivals Pakistan four days later in the event’s blockbuster clash.
India Asia Cup 2025 Squad:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.
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