In India, cricket is more than just a sport — it’s an emotion. Every time Team India steps onto the field, millions of fans tune in, and the one thing that binds them together is the iconic blue jersey. Over the years, this jersey has become a symbol of pride and unity, recognized worldwide as the identity of Indian cricket.
While fans often focus on the players and the game, few pay close attention to the logos printed on the front of the jersey. These logos belong to official sponsors who pay huge sums for the privilege of being associated with Team India. Beyond being just names on a shirt, these sponsorships represent big money, strategic branding, and even national identity.
Let’s take a look at how jersey sponsorships for the Indian cricket team have evolved — from the early days of no sponsors to today’s multi-crore deals.
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Indian Cricket Team Jersey Sponsors List
1. The Early Years (1992–2001)
In the early 1990s, the Indian cricket team had no official sponsor. The concept of jersey sponsorship was still new globally, and for India, the blue jersey itself was the primary identity. Between 1993 and 2002, ITC, through its Wills brand and later ITC Hotels, featured on the jerseys, marking one of the first corporate associations with Team India.
2. Sahara India Pariwar (2002–2013)
Sahara India Pariwar became the main jersey sponsor in 2002, and this partnership lasted more than a decade, making it one of the longest in Indian cricket history. During this era, India lifted both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, making Sahara’s logo etched in the memories of fans. For many, the “Sahara” jersey still brings a wave of nostalgia.
3. Star India (2014–2017)
In 2014, Star India took over as sponsor, coinciding with the rapid rise of digital streaming. Fans prominently saw the Star logo during the 2015 World Cup and several key bilateral series. This marked the shift towards cricket as not just a sport but also a major broadcasting and media-driven business.
4. Oppo (2017–2019)
Chinese smartphone brand Oppo entered with one of the costliest deals at the time — worth over ₹1,000 crore. However, the brand withdrew after just two years, citing the high costs. Fans first saw the Oppo logo during the 2017 Champions Trophy, but the short-lived partnership ended in 2019.
5. Byju’s (2019–2023)
Replacing Oppo, Indian edtech giant Byju’s became the next jersey sponsor. This was a landmark moment as it marked the first time an Indian startup’s logo appeared on the Indian jersey. Byju’s sponsorship lasted through key tournaments, including the 2021 T20 World Cup, symbolizing the rise of Indian startups on the global stage.
6. MPL Sports & Killer Jeans (2020–2023)
In 2020, MPL Sports signed on as India’s official kit partner, designing and supplying jerseys. Early in 2023, Killer Jeans briefly stepped in as an interim sponsor before Adidas took over, marking a short but transitional phase in India’s sponsorship journey.
7. Adidas & Dream11 (2023–Present)
In 2023, global sportswear giant Adidas became India’s official kit partner, bringing in modern designs and a global branding touch. Around the same time, fantasy sports platform Dream11 secured the jersey sponsorship, signing a long-term deal expected to last until 2028. This partnership is among the most lucrative in Indian cricket history, with Dream11 paying the BCCI a substantial annual sum.
Complete Jersey Sponsor List
| Period | Jersey Sponsor |
|---|---|
| 1992–2001 | No official sponsor |
| 1993–2002 | ITC (Wills / ITC Hotels) |
| 2002–2013 | Sahara India Pariwar |
| 2014–2017 | Star India |
| 2017–2019 | Oppo |
| 2019–2023 | Byju’s |
| Early 2023 | Killer Jeans (interim) |
| From 2023 | Dream11 (current) |
Why Jersey Sponsors Matter
The logos on Team India’s jersey are more than just corporate branding — they carry deeper significance:
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Funding Indian Cricket: Sponsorship deals contribute directly to the BCCI’s revenue, funding domestic cricket, player contracts, and infrastructure development.
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Global Branding: With millions watching worldwide, the Indian jersey is prime advertising real estate for brands.
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Fan Memories: Each sponsor is tied to unforgettable cricketing moments — from Sahara during the 2011 World Cup to Dream11 in today’s digital era.
Conclusion
From the days of no sponsors in the early 1990s to today’s multi-crore deals with Adidas and Dream11, the journey of the Indian cricket team jersey reflects the sport’s transformation into a global business. Every sponsor has left its mark — whether it was Sahara’s nostalgic presence, Oppo’s record-breaking bid, or Dream11’s modern digital branding.
The Indian team’s blue jersey is more than just a uniform. It is a canvas of cricketing history, corporate ambition, and the shared memories of millions of fans.
