New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will finalise Team India’s new jersey sponsor in the next two to three weeks, Vice President Rajiv Shukla confirmed on Saturday. The bidding window for the sponsorship closes on September 16.
India is currently without a shirt sponsor in the Asia Cup after BCCI’s ₹358 crore annual deal with online gaming platform Dream11 ended early. The agreement was scrapped following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which bans real-money gaming apps.
BCCI has since invited fresh bids but barred companies linked to real-money gaming, betting, cryptocurrency, or alcohol products. “The tender process has been released and there are many bidders. It will be finalised in 15–20 days,” Shukla said during a CREDAI event, while ruling out speculation of any frontrunner.
Shukla also spoke on the recent GST hike placing Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets in the 40 per cent slab, equating them with casinos and race clubs. A ₹500 ticket will now cost ₹700, while a ₹2,000 ticket will rise to ₹2,800. Tickets for domestic and international matches remain under the 18 per cent GST bracket. “It will definitely affect fans, but I hope people will continue to come,” he remarked.
Defending BCCI’s financial practices, Shukla clarified that the board pays income tax and GST like corporates and receives no government grants. He further highlighted progress in women’s cricket, stressing equal pay with men, better facilities, and regular tournaments. However, he admitted filling stadiums for women’s matches remains a challenge.
