Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pursues Team India Lead Sponsorship

Toyota Kirloskar Motor is interested in sponsoring Team India after Dream11's exit, but BCCI has yet to decide. The joint venture between Toyota and Kirloskar Group is keen on becoming the lead sponsor, as the deal with Dream11 has ended following the government's ban on real money games. A new sponsor is expected before the ICC Women's World Cup.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Kirloskar Group, has expressed interest in becoming the lead sponsor of Team India following the exit of Dream11. The decision comes after Dream11's sponsorship ended due to the government's ban on real money games under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to officially release a new tender for a lead sponsor, with a new sponsor expected before the ICC Women's World Cup.

Dream11's withdrawal from sponsorship was a significant loss for the BCCI, which had secured a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore. The deal included sponsorship for all Indian national teams, including senior men’s, women’s, U-19, and emerging squads. The premature end of this contract has left the BCCI seeking a new front-of-jersey sponsor to cover the 2025-28 period [3].

The BCCI has set a target rate of ₹3.5 crore per bilateral match and ₹1.5 crore for ICC and ACC fixtures, with the rights valued at ₹131 crore for 2025-26, ₹162.5 crore for 2026-27, and ₹158.5 crore for 2027-28. The tight window for securing a new sponsor has prompted the BCCI to act quickly, with the Asia Cup scheduled to kick off in early September [3].

Toyota Kirloskar Motor's interest in sponsoring Team India comes as the company seeks to capitalize on the growing sports sponsorship market in India. The BCCI's decision to end its relationship with Dream11 due to the government's ban on real money games highlights the regulatory challenges facing the fantasy sports industry. The new law makes offering or enabling such services punishable, with a jail term of up to three years and a fine of up to 10 million rupees. Promoting them carries penalties of two years and 5 million rupees, although users are treated as victims, not offenders [2].

The government's move to ban real money games has been criticized by some in the industry, who argue that the law does not distinguish between "games of skill" and "games of chance." Several Indian high courts have held that online money games fall under the skill category and cannot be treated as gambling. The industry has also expressed concerns that the ban will drive millions of players into the hands of illegal networks and offshore gambling websites, which operate without any safeguards and consumer protections [2].

Despite the challenges, the sports sponsorship market continues to expand in India. The BCCI's decision to seek a new front-of-jersey sponsor is a testament to the value of this market. With strong sponsor interest expected, the BCCI is under pressure to strike a deal quickly to secure the valuable rights for the 2025-28 period.

References:

[1] Business Standard. (2025, September 1). Toyota Kirloskar Motor eyes Team India lead sponsorship after Dream11 exit. Retrieved from [https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/toyota-kirloskar-motor-eyes-team-india-lead-sponsorship-125090101210_1.html](https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/toyota-kirloskar-motor-eyes-team-india-lead-sponsorship-125090101210_1.html)

[2] BBC News. (2025, August 25). India has banned all money-based online games. Retrieved from [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvnlmde7dzo](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvnlmde7dzo)

[3] Business Standard. (2025, August 30). BCCI seeks ₹452 crore from front-of-jersey sponsorship rights for 2025-28 after Dream11 exit, gaming ban. Retrieved from [https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/news/bcci-sponsorship-452-crore-dream11-exit-gaming-ban-125083000420_1.html](https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/news/bcci-sponsorship-452-crore-dream11-exit-gaming-ban-125083000420_1.html)