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Apollo Tyres Named New Sponsor of Indian Cricket Team After Exiting Dream11.
Apollo Tyres has had a long, sometimes understated presence in the world of sports.
Apollo Tyres has had a long, sometimes understated presence in the world of sports. From investing in the renowned Mahesh Bhupathi’s academy in 2008 with the aim of nurturing the next generation of Indian tennis talent to bringing Sachin Tendulkar on board as their brand ambassador a decade later, their efforts to strengthen their ties with Indian sports have continued. Recently, Apollo Tyres has taken a bold, perhaps most significant step in this journey by becoming the title sponsor of the Indian cricket teams. Cricket offers unparalleled reach and cultural influence in India, standing as the country’s most powerful unifier. The passion for the game runs deep, and commercially, it offers a unique blend of visibility, cultural resonance and mass engagement.
For Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar, the decision goes beyond increasing brand visibility, as they intend to use this partnership to increase their presence in rural markets in India. For Kanwar, a sports enthusiast, the association is both strategic and personal. It reflects confidence in India’s promising sporting future, underscores Apollo’s dedication to grassroots development, and solidifies its expansion into deep markets where cricket has unparalleled influence.
Quick Look at the Apollo Tyres and BCCI Partnership
The table below shows the main details of this new sponsorship deal:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Apollo Tyres |
| Category | Indian Cricket Jersey Sponsor |
| Replaces | Dream11 |
| Duration | 3 years (until 2027) |
| Visibility | Team jersey, merchandise & promotional events |
How did Apollo Tyres secure the sponsorship?
Apollo Tyres secured the sponsorship by placing the highest bid during a tough bidding round.
The bidding event was held on September 16, 2025, where three well-known companies fought closely to win this major deal.
| Company | Rate per Bilateral Game | Rate per ICC Game | Total Bid | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Tyres | ₹4.5 crore | ₹1.72 crore | ₹579.06 crore | Winner |
| Canva | ₹4.28 crore | ₹1.83 crore | ₹554.48 crore | Lost |
| JK Cements | ₹3.7 crore | ₹1.5 crore | ₹477.7 crore | Lost |
The deal includes 121 bilateral games and 20 ICC matches over a period of three years.
Apollo made the winning bid which was ₹35 crore more than Canva’s offer and ₹102 crore more than the bid offered by JK Cements. This clearly shows how strong Apollo’s intentions were to secure this sponsorship deal.
Why this change and what is at stake
The new partnership came into existence after the exit of previous sponsor Dream11. The fantasy gaming platform faced government scrutiny due to regulations under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Dream11’s original deal was to run until the end of 2026, but its early withdrawal forced the BCCI to open a public bid for a new sponsor. After evaluation and approvals, one of India’s top tyre brands, Apollo Tyres, emerged as the winning bid.
Financial and brand visibility
The massive deal is worth around ₹579 crore for its duration. Apollo Tyres will provide around ₹4.5 crore for each bilateral and non-ICC match, which is higher than Dream11’s previous ₹4 crore per match. As part of the sponsorship, Apollo Tyres branding will appear on the front of the Indian men’s and women’s team jerseys across all formats, including overseas tours and ICC events. However, the branding will follow their specific front-jersey regulations during ICC tournaments.
What does this mean for Apollo Tyres?
Known for its performance, reliability and growing global presence, Apollo Tyres sees this deal as a strong step towards enhancing its brand image. Cricket has an incredible fan base in India many consider it a passion. By associating with Team India, Apollo will gain exposure not only in cricket-crazy regions but also through digital spaces, TV broadcasts and merchandising activities.
This is Apollo’s first major sponsorship at the national cricket level. The top management, including Vice-Chairman and MD Neeraj Kanwar, highlighted that the move supports more than just market growth. It also reflects values like confidence, excellence and national spirit.
While ₹579 crore is a large investment, Apollo believes the benefits will be worth it – strong public recall, high sales (OEM as well as replacement) in a competitive tyre market, and a strong premium identity focused on trust and safety.
Read More: Virat Kohli Sells One8 & Invests Big in Agilitas Sports(Starts Fresh journey)
Potential Challenges
- Activation Effectiveness: Displaying the logo on the Indian cricket team jersey is part of the strategy. The key will be to generate real ROI, which requires smart marketing, effective distribution and compelling storytelling so that fans recognise Apollo Tyres not just as a sponsor, but also as a brand.
- Regulatory and Compliance Visibility: Brand communications must comply with all restrictions (for example, ICC rules and BCCI guidelines), especially during major ICC events where there may be limitations on front-jersey sponsorship.
- Balancing cost versus profitability: The investment is significant, while the tyre’s profit margin may be narrow; Apollo Tyres must ensure that the additional revenue justifies the cost.
- Brand Risk: Sports partnerships come with risks – team results, controversies and public perception can all impact the brand. Apollo needs to have a plan in place to manage the reputational impact.
FAQs: Questions & Answers
Q1. Who is the new sponsor of the Indian cricket team?
Apollo Tyres has been officially announced as the new sponsor of the Indian cricket team.
Q2. What is the new sponsorship deal between Apollo Tyres and the Indian Cricket Team?
Apollo Tyres has been officially announced as the new sponsor of the Indian cricket team, which will play the role of displaying their branding on the team kits and promotional events.
Q3. When will the Apollo Tyres branding appear on the Indian team jersey?
After the contract kicks in, branding will start appearing from upcoming international series and major tournaments.
Q4. Which teams and formats does the sponsorship cover?
This sponsorship deal covers all formats – Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals – including men’s, women’s and youth teams.
Q5. Why did Apollo Tyres choose to partner with the Indian Cricket Team?
Apollo Tyres sees cricket as the most powerful platform to connect with millions of fans in India and strengthen its global presence through sports marketing.
