In a landmark development for Indian cricket, Apollo Tyres was officially named the new jersey sponsor of the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams on Tuesday. The announcement comes during the ongoing Asia Cup in the UAE, where India has been without a jersey sponsor following the termination of the Dream11 agreement after the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill.
The new partnership marks Apollo Tyres’ first-ever foray into Indian cricket sponsorship and will run until March 2028, covering a span of two and a half years. The Apollo Tyres logo will feature on the jerseys of both the Indian men’s and women’s teams across all formats of the game.
A Historic Partnership
The agreement is being seen as a major boost for Indian cricket, both in terms of value and strategic alignment. Speaking on the announcement, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said:
“The arrival of Apollo Tyres as our new sponsor is a testament to the hard work and consistent performance of our teams. We are excited about this being Apollo’s first major sponsorship in Indian cricket, which speaks volumes about the sport’s unparalleled reach and influence. This is more than a commercial agreement; it’s a partnership between two institutions that have earned the trust and respect of millions.”
The deal reflects the growing commercial appeal of Indian cricket globally, with companies vying for visibility on the Indian team’s iconic jersey.
Record-Breaking Deal
According to a report by PTI, Apollo Tyres signed the sponsorship agreement at a staggering ₹579 crore, making it one of the biggest jersey sponsorship deals in Indian cricket history. This figure is significantly higher than Dream11’s ₹358 crore deal for the same duration.
The contract covers 121 bilateral matches and 21 ICC events that Team India will feature in during the period.
Apollo Tyres, a multinational headquartered in Gurugram, secured the contract by outbidding other major contenders. Design platform Canva placed a bid of ₹544 crore, while JK Cements offered ₹477 crore, but both fell short of Apollo’s winning proposal.
First Step Into Cricket Sponsorship
This marks the first major sponsorship venture for Apollo Tyres in Indian cricket. The company has been involved in global sports sponsorships in the past, particularly football, with partnerships including English Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
With this move, Apollo Tyres now enters India’s most-followed sport, leveraging cricket’s massive fan base for greater visibility and brand positioning.
Commercial and Cultural Impact
The new deal is not just a commercial agreement but also a significant cultural milestone. The Indian cricket team’s jersey has long been considered prime real estate in sports sponsorship, with companies competing fiercely to be associated with the Men in Blue.
Industry experts believe this deal will give Apollo Tyres unmatched brand exposure, considering the massive global following of Indian cricket. Every bilateral series, ICC event, and global tournament where Team India participates will now carry the Apollo Tyres name.
The sponsorship is also expected to enhance Apollo Tyres’ market share domestically and internationally, aligning the company’s brand with values of performance, endurance, and trust—qualities deeply associated with both cricket and tyres.
A Shift in Sponsorship Dynamics
The shift from an online gaming sponsor to a manufacturing giant like Apollo Tyres also signals a change in the sponsorship dynamics of Indian cricket. With increasing government regulations on online gaming and betting platforms, traditional industries such as FMCG, manufacturing, and consumer goods may once again dominate the cricket sponsorship landscape.
Conclusion
The Apollo Tyres–BCCI sponsorship deal is a landmark in Indian cricket’s commercial journey, not only setting a record in terms of valuation but also underscoring cricket’s unmatched dominance as a branding platform in India.
As the Indian team prepares for a packed international calendar, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, fans across the globe will soon see the iconic blue jersey adorned with the Apollo Tyres logo—a symbol of a new era in Indian cricket sponsorship.
