Discover the Top Jersey Sponsors of the Indian National Team: From ITC Limited to Apollo Tyres

Hyderabad: Being a jersey sponsor for the Indian cricket team is a big deal. Companies see a surge in visibility when their names appear on the players’ jerseys. Apollo Tyres recently stepped in as the seventh jersey sponsor, taking over from Dream11. This deal, worth a reported ₹358 crore, will last for two and a half years, covering 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC games until 2028.

Let’s take a quick look at the past sponsors of the Indian cricket team.

ITC Limited (1993-2001): The first major sponsorship came with ITC Limited, which began supporting the team in 1993. They paid ₹35 lakh per Test and ₹32 lakh per ODI. However, new regulations against cigarette sponsorships forced them to withdraw in 2001.

Sahara India (2001–2013): Sahara India took over sponsorship in 2001. By 2010, they were paying ₹3.34 crore per international match. Their partnership ended in 2013 due to differences with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Star India (2014–2017): In 2014, Star India secured the sponsorship with a bid that outshone competitors. They paid ₹1.92 crore per bilateral match and ₹61 lakh for ICC games. This agreement concluded in early 2017.

Oppo Mobiles (2017–2019): Next, Oppo signed a record-breaking ₹1,079 crore deal, paying ₹4.61 crore for bilateral fixtures and ₹1.51 crore per ICC match. However, they backed out after just two years.

Byju (2019–2023): Byju’s, an ed-tech giant, became the jersey sponsor in mid-2019, lasting until March 2023. Their partnership was notable but ended after three and a half years.

Dream11 (2023–2025): The fantasy sports platform Dream11 entered a ₹358 crore deal but faced termination due to a government ban on real-money gaming platforms.

This history of sponsorship reflects not just a shift in trends but also changes in market regulations. Companies now need to be mindful of the legal landscape, especially regarding sponsorships related to gambling and age-restricted products.

Interestingly, recent statistics show that the global sports sponsorship market is expected to reach $66.4 billion by 2026. This growth highlights the enduring appeal of sports sponsorships in enhancing brand visibility. Fan reactions on social media indicate that many cricket enthusiasts welcome Apollo Tyres eagerly, hoping for innovative marketing campaigns that resonate with the sport’s passionate following.

The evolution of these sponsorships offers insights into the changing dynamics of sports marketing, company values, and legislation in India. For further reading, check out this government report on sports sponsorship regulations here.

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JERSEY SPONSOR, APOLLO TYRES CRICKET SPONSOR, BCCI SPONSORSHIP DEAL, INDIAN CRICKET TEAM, FROM ITC LIMITED TO APOLLO TYRES: LIST OF JERSEY SPONSORS OF THE INDIAN TEAM