The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the Asia Cup 2025, set to commence on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made headlines with two significant decisions that have sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts alike. First, the team is likely to play the tournament without a jersey sponsor following the exit of Dream11, a major blow to the team’s branding. Second, the BCCI has decided that five standby players—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel—will not travel with the main squad to Dubai, marking a departure from traditional team travel protocols. These developments have raised questions about the BCCI’s strategy and the team’s preparedness for the continental tournament. This article delves into these decisions, their implications, and the broader context of India’s Asia Cup campaign.
The Jersey Sponsor Conundrum
For years, the Indian cricket team’s iconic blue jersey has been adorned with prominent brand logos, symbolizing the commercial powerhouse that Indian cricket has become. However, the Asia Cup 2025 could see the team take the field without a sponsor’s logo, a rare occurrence in modern cricket. The BCCI recently ended its sponsorship deal with Dream11, a fantasy sports platform that had been a major partner. This decision was driven by the new Online Gaming Act, which bans the promotion or advertisement of money-based online games, effectively ruling out companies like Dream11 and My11Circle from sponsoring Indian cricket teams.
The timing of this development could not be worse for the BCCI. With the Asia Cup just days away, the board is racing against time to secure a new jersey sponsor. An emergency Apex Council meeting, chaired by interim BCCI president Rajeev Shukla on August 28, 2025, discussed the issue, but sources indicate that finalizing a deal before the tournament begins on September 9 is highly unlikely. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the end of the Dream11 partnership, stating, “Our stand is very clear. With government regulations in place, the BCCI cannot continue its sponsorship relationship with Dream11 or any such other gaming company.” The board is now working to secure a long-term sponsor until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, but the absence of a jersey sponsor for the Asia Cup could dent the team’s commercial image.
The lack of a sponsor is not just a cosmetic issue. Sponsorships are a significant revenue stream for the BCCI, one of the richest cricket boards in the world. The absence of a brand logo on the jersey could also impact the team’s visibility and marketability, especially in a high-profile tournament like the Asia Cup, which draws millions of viewers across the continent. For fans, seeing the Indian team play without a sponsor’s logo will be a stark reminder of the regulatory challenges facing the intersection of cricket and online gaming in India.
Standby Players Left Behind
In another surprising move, the BCCI has decided that the five standby players named for the Asia Cup 2025—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel—will not travel to Dubai with the main 15-member squad. This decision, reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI), reflects the BCCI’s preference for a lean traveling group, with standby players to be flown in only if necessary. A senior BCCI official told PTI, “No, the standby players will not be traveling with the main squad to Dubai.” This marks a shift from previous tournaments, such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where standby players like Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh accompanied the team.
The decision to exclude standby players from the travel roster is driven by logistical considerations. The UAE’s proximity to India, with short flight durations from major cities, makes it feasible to summon replacements quickly if injuries or other issues arise. The BCCI has also adopted a new travel strategy, allowing players to fly directly to Dubai from their respective cities rather than assembling in Mumbai, as was the norm in previous tours. “Factoring in the logistical convenience, the players will be allowed to fly in to Dubai from their respective cities,” a BCCI official explained. This approach aims to reduce unnecessary travel and ensure player convenience, especially given the packed domestic schedule, with players like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Kuldeep Yadav participating in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals.
However, this decision has sparked curiosity and debate. Standby players are typically included to provide immediate backup in case of injuries or form slumps, and their absence could pose challenges if the team faces unexpected setbacks. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in particular, is a notable omission from the traveling squad. Despite an impressive IPL 2025 season, where he scored 559 runs for Rajasthan Royals at an average of 43.00 and a strike rate of 159.71, Jaiswal was relegated to the standby list due to a logjam at the top order. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged the tough call, stating, “It’s very unfortunate for Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Abhishek doing well, he can bowl as well—one of the two was going to miss out.”
Similarly, Prasidh Krishna, the IPL 2025 Purple Cap winner with 25 wickets, and Washington Sundar, a versatile all-rounder, are high-profile names left behind. Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, both promising young talents, also find themselves on the standby list, highlighting the depth of talent in Indian cricket but also the selectors’ preference for a settled core.
The Asia Cup Squad and Strategy
The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill, is a formidable unit. The 15-member team includes Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh. The selectors have prioritized continuity, retaining the core that performed well under Suryakumar’s leadership in recent T20I series. “Abhishek is currently the top-ranked T20 batter in the ICC rankings. Sanju was brilliant with both bat and gloves last season,” a BCCI insider noted, explaining the decision to stick with the current top order.
Shubman Gill’s inclusion as vice-captain is a nod to his stellar form, particularly in Tests, where he scored 754 runs against England in 2025. His leadership credentials, demonstrated during India’s T20I series in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, also played a role in his elevation. However, the exclusion of high-profile names like Shreyas Iyer, who scored 604 runs in IPL 2025, and Mohammed Siraj, a key pacer, has drawn criticism. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh lamented Siraj’s absence, calling him an “X-factor” whose presence could have bolstered the bowling attack.
The team’s schedule in the Asia Cup is demanding, with their campaign kicking off against the UAE on September 10, followed by a high-stakes clash against Pakistan on September 14 and a match against Oman on September 19. The tournament, hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, features eight teams in the T20I format, with India placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. The BCCI’s decision to keep the squad lean and focused reflects confidence in the main 15 players, but it also places pressure on the team to perform without immediate backups.
Implications and Challenges
The absence of a jersey sponsor and standby players presents both opportunities and challenges for the Indian team. On one hand, the lack of a sponsor could galvanize the team to focus purely on performance, free from commercial distractions. On the other hand, it risks diminishing the team’s brand value at a time when Indian cricket is under intense global scrutiny. Similarly, the decision to leave standby players behind could streamline logistics but leaves the team vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances, such as injuries or poor form.
The BCCI’s new travel strategy, with players flying directly to Dubai, is a pragmatic move that acknowledges the realities of a packed cricket calendar. However, it also breaks with tradition, potentially affecting team bonding and cohesion. The selectors’ faith in the main squad is evident, but the exclusion of talented players like Jaiswal and Krishna raises questions about the balance between continuity and flexibility.
In Summary
As India prepares for the Asia Cup 2025, the BCCI’s decisions to forgo a jersey sponsor and exclude standby players from the travel roster have added intrigue to the team’s campaign. While the lack of a sponsor is a setback, it reflects the broader regulatory challenges facing cricket’s commercial landscape. The decision to keep the squad lean is a bold move, banking on the strength of the main 15 players and the logistical ease of flying in replacements if needed. With a talented squad led by Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, India remains a strong contender, but the absence of key backups and a sponsor’s logo will test their resilience. As the team arrives in Dubai on September 4 for their first net session, all eyes will be on how they navigate these challenges in their quest for Asia Cup glory.
