Apollo Tyres named Team India lead sponsor in ₹579 cr deal till 2028

Apollo Tyres becomes Team India's lead sponsor until March 2028 in a Rs 579 crore deal, marking its first major cricket sponsorship and replacing Dream11

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced Apollo Tyres as the new lead sponsor for Team India for a two-and-a-half-year period concluding in March 2028, after Dream11’s exit.

 

This marks tyre manufacturing company Apollo Tyres’ first ever foray into Indian cricket, BCCI stated on its website. The cricket board added that the new partnership, secured after a bidding process, represents a substantial increase in sponsorship value, signifying the immense and growing commercial appeal of Indian cricket.

 

According to media reports, Apollo Tyres had placed a bid of ₹579 crore to secure the sponsorship spot, under which the company’s logo will feature on the jerseys of Team India men’s and women’s national teams across all formats. Earlier, fantasy sports platform Dream11 had signed a three-year deal in July 2023 worth ₹358 crore, taking over from educational technology firm Byju’s. Currently, Team India’s jersey doesn’t have a lead sponsor’s logo in the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup. 

 

Rajeev Shukla, vice-president, BCCI, stated that the competitive nature of the bidding process highlights the strong market confidence in the cricket board and the global brand of Team India.

 

"The arrival of Apollo Tyres as our new sponsor is a testament to the hard work and consistent performance of our teams,” Devajit Saikia, honorary secretary, BCCI, said in a statement. “We are excited about this being Apollo's first major sponsorship in India 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," Saikia said.

 

“Cricket’s unmatched popularity in India and the world over makes it an honour for us to become the national team lead sponsor of Team India,” Neeraj Kanwar, vice-chairman and managing director, Apollo Tyres, said in a statement. “This partnership is about national pride, strengthening consumer trust, and showcasing Apollo as a true leader in our category while supporting Indian sport at the highest level and creating unforgettable moments for fans worldwide,” Kanwar said.

 

For Apollo Tyres, the sponsorship is a powerful platform to connect with a diverse and passionate audience, BCCI’s website stated. The company markets its products under its two global brands, Apollo and Vredestein. Its products are available in over 100 countries through a vast network of branded, exclusive, and multi-product outlets. 

Power play

• Marks Apollo’s foray into Indian cricket sponsorship
• Apollo’s logo will appear on men’s and women’s national team jerseys across all formats
• BCCI officials called the deal a sign of cricket’s global brand power and market confidence