Since 1993, many companies have partnered with Team India and helped improve its global image. These deals linked with the India match schedule which also brought financial support and better facilities.
Over time, the value of India cricket sponsors has grown a lot. Many industries have entered cricket to reach a large audience and build their presence.
In this blog, you will see the complete journey of the India Cricket Team Sponsor from 1993 to 2026 with proper year wise data and an easy explanation.
India Cricket Team Sponsors List Year Wise
The journey of the India Cricket Team Sponsor started in 1993 and has continued to grow with time through different Types of cricket matches. Below is the complete table showing all major jersey sponsors.
| Year | Sponsor Name | Duration | Amount (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 – 2001 | ITC Limited (Wills & ITC Hotels) | 9 Years | ₹35 lakh per Test / ₹32 lakh per ODI |
| 2001 – 2013 | Sahara India Pariwar | 12 Years | ₹3.34 crore per international match (at peak) |
| 2014 – 2017 | Star India | 4 Years | ₹1.92 crore per bilateral / ₹61 lakh per ICC match |
| 2017 – 2019 | Oppo Mobiles India | 2 Years (Ended early) | ₹1,079 crore total (₹4.61 cr/bilateral, ₹1.56 cr/ICC) |
| 2019 – 2023 | Byju’s | 4 Years | Inherited Oppo’s rate; later paid ₹5.07 cr per home match |
| 2023 – 2025 | Dream11 | 2 Years (Terminated early) | ₹358 crore total (₹3 cr/home, ₹1 cr/away) |
| 2025 – Current | Apollo Tyres | Signed until March 2028 | ₹579.06 crore total ( ₹4.5 cr/bilateral match) |
This table clearly shows how the Indian cricket team jersey sponsor has changed over time and how different brands have become part of Team India’s journey.
1. ITC Limited (1993 to 2001)
The journey of the India Cricket Team Sponsor started with ITC Limited. It was the first company to appear on the Indian team jersey under the Wills brand. This step changed how cricket and business worked together in India.
This partnership ended due to tobacco advertising rules. After that, new brands started entering cricket sponsorship and the market changed.
During this time the idea of an India jersey sponsor started growing. It created the base for future deals and helped cricket become more commercial.
2. Sahara India (2001 to 2013)
Sahara India Pariwar became one of the most well known names in cricket. It stayed as the India Cricket Team Sponsor for 12 years which makes it the longest partnership in this list.
The deal ended due to financial and legal problems. Even after that, Sahara remained strongly connected with Indian cricket fans because of its long presence.
This period helped increase the value of bcci sponsors and showed how long term deals can build strong brand identity.
3. Star India (2014 to 2017)
Star India became the next India Cricket Team Sponsor after Sahara. This marked a new phase where media companies started entering cricket sponsorship and changing the way brands connected with fans through the game.
The company paid around ₹1.92 crore per bilateral match. This showed how valuable Indian cricket had become in the market.
This period helped grow India cricket sponsors and increased competition among big companies for sponsorship deals.
4. Oppo Mobiles (2017 to 2019)
Oppo became the new India Cricket Team Sponsor and marked the entry of smartphone brands into cricket. The company used this deal to connect with young audiences and build a modern brand image through the popularity of the game.
The company ended its deal early and transferred the rights to Byju’s. This showed how quickly India cricket sponsors deals can change in modern cricket..
This phase increased the importance of the Indian cricket team jersey sponsor in digital marketing and youth engagement.
5. Byju’s (2019 to 2023)
Byju’s became the India Cricket Team Sponsor and brought the edtech industry into cricket. The company focused on students, young users and used cricket to build a strong connection with them.
The partnership ended in March 2023 due to governance and financial issues. It still showed how new industries are entering cricket and growing with the game.
During this time, India cricket sponsors saw strong growth and there was more competition for big deals across different industries and major brands.
6. Dream11 (2023 to 2025)
Dream11 became the next India Cricket Team Sponsor and represented the rise of fantasy sports platforms in India. It focused on online engagement and building a strong connection with cricket fans across digital platforms.
The deal was terminated early in late 2025 due to new gaming rules. This showed how regulations can affect sponsorship deals.
This phase added more value to the India jersey sponsor space and increased digital interaction with fans.
7. Apollo Tyres (2025 – Present)
Apollo Tyres is the team India new sponsor and has signed a deal until March 2028. It is one of the biggest sponsorship deals in Indian cricket and shows the strong commercial value of Team India.
The company is using cricket to increase its global reach and brand presence. This shows that traditional industries still trust cricket marketing.
This phase highlights the strong value of the Indian cricket team jersey sponsor and how competitive the market has become.
Why Sponsorships Are Important in Cricket
Sponsorship is important in cricket because it provides financial support for teams and tournaments while giving brands strong visibility. It also helps improve infrastructure and overall development of the game.
Important roles of sponsorship in cricket:
Financial Support: Sponsorship brings revenue which helps manage player salaries and supports richest cricketers while covering travel and match operations.
Brand Reach: Cricket has a huge audience which helps brands reach millions of fans. That is why India cricket sponsors keep increasing.
Fan Connection: Brands use cricket to build a strong emotional connection with fans and create long term trust with audiences.
Development of Cricket: Sponsorship supports youth programs, training systems and better facilities which help in the overall growth of the game.
Digital Growth: Modern sponsorship deals focus on online platforms where brands can directly connect with fans and increase engagement.
Conclusion
The journey of the India Cricket Team Sponsor from 1993 to 2026 shows the growth of Indian cricket as a global brand with the rise of richest Cricket Boards. Each sponsor has helped build its commercial strength.
From ITC to Apollo Tyres every phase shows how sponsorship trends have changed with time. New industries and bigger deals have made cricket a strong marketing platform.
Today, India cricket sponsors show that cricket is not just about the game. It is also about business growth and brand value. The future of sponsorship in Indian cricket looks strong.
