Sponsoring the Indian cricket team is often seen as a golden ticket for brands, but history shows a different story. While the exposure is unmatched, many Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit have struggled to survive the financial and strategic demands of such partnerships. From Sahara to Dream11, several high-profile companies entered with ambitious deals but ended their contracts earlier than expected, creating a pattern that looks like a sponsorship curse.
Over the years, brands from finance, media, technology, and entertainment have come forward to associate themselves with the men in blue. Yet, most of them eventually joined the list of Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit, showing how difficult it is to sustain such high-value commitments. Let’s take a closer look at the sponsors who couldn’t go the distance with Team India.
1. Sahara India (2001–2013)
Sahara India remains one of the most iconic Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit. For over a decade, from 2001 to 2013, Sahara was the name Indian cricket fans associated most closely with the team. Their partnership included legendary moments, from India’s 2003 World Cup run to the 2011 World Cup triumph. In 2010, Sahara even renewed its deal, agreeing to pay ₹3.34 crore per Test, ODI, and T20I, showcasing their deep commitment to Indian cricket.
However, in 2013, Sahara suddenly withdrew from its sponsorship due to financial difficulties, marking the end of an era. Despite being one of the most enduring Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit, Sahara’s abrupt pullout highlighted how even loyal sponsors can collapse under financial strain. The unexpected exit shocked the cricketing community, as few believed Sahara’s long-standing association would end so suddenly.
2. Star India (2014–2017)
Star India stepped in after Sahara’s departure, becoming one of the next Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit. In 2014, the media giant signed a four-year contract with the BCCI. Their deal was worth ₹1.92 crore per bilateral match and ₹61 lakh per ICC tournament match. Known for its deep involvement in cricket broadcasting, Star India’s logo became a familiar sight on the team’s jerseys during this period.
But by 2017, Star India decided to exit the sponsorship race. Unlike others, this wasn’t due to financial losses but rather a strategic shift. Star chose to focus fully on broadcasting rights instead of balancing both sponsorship and media deals. Their decision made them another name in the growing list of Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit, proving that even powerful brands with strong cricketing ties sometimes prioritize other opportunities over jersey sponsorship.
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3. Oppo Mobiles India (2017–2019)
Oppo Mobiles India made headlines as one of the most ambitious Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit. In 2017, the Chinese smartphone giant signed a five-year deal worth ₹1,079 crore, more than double the base price set by BCCI. The company was ready to pay ₹4.61 crore per bilateral game and ₹1.51 crore per ICC game, showing its intent to dominate the Indian smartphone market through cricket.
Yet, the deal collapsed midway. By 2019, Oppo reassigned the sponsorship to Byju’s, citing financial strain. Despite being one of the wealthiest tech companies at the time, Oppo admitted that the sponsorship had become too costly. The brand’s sudden retreat put it alongside other Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit, showing that aggressive strategies don’t always translate into long-term stability when cricket’s high sponsorship costs come into play.
4. Byju’s (2019–2023)
Byju’s, the edtech company, replaced Oppo in 2019, becoming one of the most recognizable Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit in recent years. After paying a 5% reassignment fee, Byju’s took over the sponsorship rights and proudly displayed its logo on the Indian jersey. The association brought immense global visibility for the brand, coinciding with its rapid rise as India’s leading education technology firm.
But financial troubles soon caught up. By 2023, Byju’s was facing mounting losses, delayed salaries, and large-scale layoffs. The sponsorship became difficult to sustain, leading to an abrupt exit. Despite its strong start, Byju’s became yet another entry in the long list of Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit, reinforcing the idea that no brand, however big, is immune to the pressure of high-value cricket deals.
5. Dream11 (2023–2025)
Dream11, India’s leading fantasy sports platform, was the most recent among the Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit. In 2023, it signed a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore, continuing its strategy of building strong ties with cricket after years of sponsoring IPL and fantasy tournaments. The partnership seemed promising, as Dream11 already had a dedicated cricketing fan base.
However, in 2025, Dream11 ended the deal prematurely. While the exact reasons were not fully revealed, it is believed that sustaining such high sponsorship costs was no longer viable. Their sudden exit added them to the unfortunate list of Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit, raising fresh questions about the sustainability of long-term deals with the BCCI. With their exit coming right before the Asia Cup, the BCCI was left scrambling to find a new sponsor yet again.
Why Do Sponsors Keep Exiting?
Looking back, it’s clear that there’s a recurring pattern with Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit. Brands enter the scene with massive financial commitments, hoping to cash in on India’s cricket craze. However, the rising costs of sponsorship, combined with volatile market conditions, often make it unsustainable in the long run.
For some companies like Sahara and Byju’s, financial struggles forced a sudden end, while for others like Star India, strategic redirection made more sense than sticking with team sponsorship. Whatever the reason, the history of Indian Cricket Team Sponsors That Faced Sudden Exit shows that while cricket offers unmatched visibility, it is also one of the toughest and most expensive platforms for brand survival.
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