For decades, the indian cricket team has been the biggest billboard in the country. Every brand dreams of having its name on the blue jersey, believing it to be a direct ticket to consumer trust and national pride. Yet, history tells us a different story—most sponsors of Team india have faced dramatic downfalls, bankruptcies, or regulatory setbacks.
Sahara once ruled as the longest-standing sponsor of indian cricket. But behind the glossy ads, its empire collapsed under financial scandals, leading to bankruptcy and its owner’s imprisonment.
Oppo, the Chinese smartphone giant, was forced into retreat after nationwide boycotts and declining sales pushed it out of cricket sponsorship.
Star India, once a sports broadcasting powerhouse, lost its dominance to Reliance-backed JioCinema and Sports18, marking the end of its supremacy.
Byju’s, once hailed as India’s first edtech unicorn, collapsed under the weight of mismanagement, massive losses, and investor distrust—its name on the indian jersey now stands as a reminder of over-hype gone wrong.
Dream11, the fantasy sports giant, was struck down by the Gaming Bill 2025, which banned online betting platforms—abruptly ending its run as a cricket sponsor.
And this isn’t new. Kingfisher, Aircel, and Essar—brands that once basked in the glory of cricket sponsorship—are now remembered as corporate cautionary tales.
The Pattern Nobody Talks About
The jersey seems almost cursed for brands: enormous upfront spending for visibility, followed by reckless over-expansion, financial mismanagement, or regulatory troubles. Instead of long-term growth, sponsorship often becomes a symbol of hubris—where companies try to buy credibility rather than build it.
The Lesson
Indian cricket doesn’t guarantee brand success—it exposes weaknesses. A logo on the team jersey may win short-term fame, but it can’t fix flawed business models, poor governance, or over-ambition.
Cricket sponsorship in india has become less of a business strategy and more of a corporate gamble. For many brands, the cost of chasing glory has turned into their ticket to downfall.
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