Following exit of Dream11 from the lead sponsorship role, the Indian cricket team’s jerseys are being sold at a very low price. Adidas has come up with a surprising offer by announcing an 80% solid discount on Team India’s jersey.
The iconic blue jersey of both men’s and women’s cricket teams is currently being sold on the official Adidas website worth INR 1,199. This is a massive drop from the earlier cost of INR 5,999 that featured Dream11 as the jersey’s front sponsor.
After the Indian government’s ban on all real-money gaming platforms, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ended the sponsorship ties with Dream11. So far, Adidas hasn’t given any official reason or explanation behind this clever move.
Sponsorship Exit: Team India’s Jersey Curse Continues
Soon after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was passed in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Dream11 had to abruptly end the 3-year deal with the BCCI started in June 2023. The contract, worth INR 358 crore, was supposed to last until 2026, but ended prematurely one year in advance.
Somehow or other, the curse of the Indian cricket team jersey has been continuing for two decades. This is because the sponsoring companies, since 2001, have walked out due to financial or political pressures.
Here is a timeline of those big giants that sponsored Team India’s jersey, but ended up getting trapped in a double-edged sword:
| Years | Company | Reason to End the Sponsorship Deal |
| 2001 to 2012 | SAHARA | Company’s Downfall and Legal Troubles for the Founder |
| 2014 to 2017 | STAR INDIA | Rising Costs and Regulatory Setbacks |
| 2017 to 2020 | OPPO | Poor Profits and India-China’s strained political relationships |
| 2020 to 2022 | BYJU’s | Financial Losses and Legal Issues with BCCI |
| 2023 to 2025 | DREAM11 | Indian Government’s Ban on real money gaming and fantasy sports platforms |
Adidas’ Strategy to Offer Massive Discounts on India’s Jersey
With Dream11 exiting, the Indian government has imposed strict regulations on promoting any such real-money betting platforms that could lead to a fine of upto INR 50 lakh and a two-year jail term.
To prevent facing such severe consequences, Adidas is keen to clear the old stock that represented Dream11 as the key sponsor’s logo.
Currently, the official Adidas store is offering heavy discounts on Team India’s merchandise, with the FW24 India Cricket T20 International jersey and Women’s Test jersey in 2025 both advertised at INR 1,199.
Additional variants like training apparel and fan editions are available at even more affordable price ranges. While kids’ authentic jerseys are listed at INR 499, the FW24 India T20 fan jersey is offered as low as INR 299.
Adidas Offer: Varying Price Range of Indian Cricket Jerseys
Amidst the sponsorship development, Adidas is offering these variants of Indian cricket jerseys for an affordable price range, as listed below:
| Price (INR) | Indian Jersey Variants |
| 299 | FW24 T20 Fan Jersey |
| 499 | T20 Replica Kids (Junior) |
| Kids Replica Training | |
| Kids Cricket | |
| 899 | Women’s Cricket Training |
| 999 | Women’s T20I Cricket |
| 1,199 | FW24 Women’s Cricket |
| Women’s Cricket Tri Colour | |
| Women’s Test Cricket | |
| ODI Jersey (Women’s) | |
| 4,999 | T20I Men’s Jersey 2024 |
BCCI in Search of New Sponsorship Deals
BCCI has already invited the sponsorship bids open until mid-September. So far, none of the companies has purchased the Invitation to Tender (ITT) issued by the Indian cricket board. The last date to acquire the document is on September 12, with the submission timeline fixed no later than September 16.
Most importantly, the BCCI cited the applicable laws mentioned in the invitation for expression of interest (IEOI). As per the deal, companies involved in brand dealings such as gambling services, cryptocurrency, online betting games, alcohol, and tobacco products are strictly banned from participating in the bidding process.
Additionally, the Board has denied companies operating in sectors such as:
- Athleisure
- Banking and finance
- Sportswear
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Home appliances
- Insurance.
Therefore, the BCCI is cautious to avoid a potential clash with existing sponsorship deals and isn’t keen to secure any interim sponsorship deals, thereby focusing on long-term benefits.
With the Asia Cup starting on September 09 (Tuesday), Team India heads into the tournament donning the sponsorless jerseys.
Also Read: IPL Ticket Costs Surge By 12%: Fans Face the Heat of New GST Slab!
Conclusion
Adidas’ offering a hefty discount marks a rare occurrence where the official clothing accessories of the Indian team have been made much affordable.
However, the absence of a sponsorship logo on the Indian jerseys isn’t new for seasoned cricket fans due to the BCCI’s strict guidelines.
Unfortunately, BCCI’s financial momentum is likely to be hampered by missing a huge chunk of sponsorship revenue in the upcoming high-profile event, like the Asia Cup 2025.
