Team India Sponsors Are Jinxed? Here’s Why: The Indian cricket team has been sponsored by some of the biggest brands in the world, but not all of these partnerships have been smooth sailing. In recent years, several of the team’s sponsors have faced financial or legal troubles, which has led to some high-profile exits.
The team’s popularity and success continue to attract sponsors and new partnerships are always being formed. While there may be some bumps in the road, it is clear that the Indian cricket team’s sponsorship deals will continue to be an important part of the team’s success for years to come.
Sahara, a well-known syndicate involved in various businesses such as real estate, finance, and media, was the primary sponsor of the Indian cricket team from 2010 to 2013. However, the company faced financial difficulties in the early 2010s and was eventually declared bankrupt in 2011. As a result, Sahara was compelled to terminate its sponsorship of the Indian cricket team.
The Indian cricket team has been sponsored by various companies over the years, and Sahara was one of the most prominent sponsors during its tenure. The company’s sponsorship of the team was marked by several high-profile events, including the renaming of the team as ‘India-Sahara’ during the 2011 World Cup. Sahara’s sponsorship also extended to other sports, including hockey and boxing.
Unfortunately, Sahara’s financial troubles proved to be too significant, and the company was unable to continue its sponsorship of the Indian cricket team. The company’s bankruptcy was a significant blow to the Indian cricket team, which had relied heavily on the sponsorship for funding. However, the team was quick to find new sponsors, with Star India taking over as the main sponsor in 2014.
Star, a leading media company, held the sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team for a significant period. However, it underwent a significant transformation when Disney acquired it. Subsequently, Star lost the broadcasting rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL), a lucrative cricket tournament. This loss impacted Star’s financial position and, consequently, its sponsorship of the Indian cricket team.
This loss of broadcasting rights had an adverse impact on Star’s financial position, which, in turn, affected its sponsorship of the Indian cricket team. The company had to cut back on its spending, and the sponsorship deal was among the first things on the chopping block.
The loss of the IPL broadcasting rights was a significant blow to Star’s revenue stream, as the tournament had been one of its flagship properties. Losing the rights meant that the company no longer had access to the massive audience that the tournament attracted, which, in turn, meant that it could no longer generate the same level of advertising and sponsorship revenue.
Despite the setback, Star has continued to remain a significant player in the Indian media industry. The company has diversified its offerings, and its portfolio now includes a range of channels and streaming services, catering to various audience segments. Star’s sponsorship of the Indian cricket team, while scaled back, still remains a crucial part of the company’s marketing strategy.
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Oppo, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, had entered into a sponsorship agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to become the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team. However, in the wake of rising tensions between India and China, the Indian government imposed restrictions on Chinese companies, including Oppo. These restrictions affected Oppo’s ability to continue as a sponsor of the Indian cricket team.
Although the sponsorship agreement was not terminated immediately, Oppo was unable to renew it when it expired in March 2022. The BCCI subsequently announced that it would be seeking a new sponsor for the Indian cricket team.
The decision to impose restrictions on Chinese companies was part of a broader strategy by the Indian government to reduce its dependence on China. The tensions between India and China have been escalating since a border dispute in 2020, and the Indian government’s move was seen as a response to China’s aggressive stance.
The impact of these restrictions on Oppo’s sponsorship of the Indian cricket team was significant. The Indian cricket team is one of the most successful and popular cricket teams in the world, and the team’s sponsorship is highly coveted. Oppo had invested heavily in the Indian market and had built a strong brand presence in the country. The loss of the sponsorship deal was a setback for Oppo, but the company has continued to operate in India and has launched several new products in the market.
Dream11, a fantasy sports platform, entered the sponsorship arena by securing the title sponsorship rights for the IPL, including the jersey sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team. However, the Indian government imposed a 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on fantasy sports platforms like Dream11, which posed a significant financial burden. This development could impact Dream11’s long-term sponsorship commitment to the Indian cricket team.
ISC, or International Sports Clothing, was the company that provided the official uniforms for the Indian cricket team during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. They were responsible for dressing up the players for these important tournaments. However, ISC is not associated with the team anymore. Despite that, their contribution to the team’s attire during such a crucial event is still remembered.
ISC made sure that the players looked their best while representing their country. They provided the team with high-quality and comfortable clothing, which helped the players perform at their best. ISC’s role in outfitting the Indian cricket team during the 1992 Cricket World Cup was significant. Although they are no longer associated with the team, their contribution to Indian cricket will always be remembered.
ASICS, a famous sports equipment company, became the kit sponsor for the Indian cricket team after the 1999 Cricket World Cup. They had a one-year partnership with the team and during that time, ASICS ensured that the Indian players wore comfortable and high-quality clothing and shoes while playing. This helped the players to feel comfortable on the field and focus on their game.
ASICS is known for providing excellent sports gear and their association with the Indian cricket team was no exception. Their efforts to provide the team the best sports apparel and footwear helped them gain popularity among the players and fans alike. The partnership between ASICS and the Indian cricket team was successful, and it helped the team perform better on the field.
Nike became the official kit sponsor of the Indian cricket team in December 2005, after a short period without a sponsor. They signed a five-year contract, but their association with the team continued beyond that period. In 2011 and 2016, Nike extended their contract, which confirmed their position as a long-term supporter of Indian cricket.
As the kit sponsor, Nike designs and supplies the team’s clothing and equipment, ensuring they look and feel their best on the field. The association between Nike and the Indian cricket team has been successful, and it has helped promote both the team and the brand across the cricket-playing nations of the world.
Nike’s contract with the Indian cricket team ended in September 2020. After that, MPL Sports Apparel & Accessories, a part of the Mobile Premier League, started making the team’s jerseys.
This partnership was supposed to last until December 2023, which means the Indian cricket team will have some new and unique jerseys during this period.
In January of 2023, MPL, a sports team, had to find new sponsors. They appointed Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL) and Killer Jeans as the interim sponsors until May of the same year. KKCL is a well-known clothing company, and its subsidiary, Killer Jeans, temporarily provided the team with their signature clothing. This arrangement helped MPL fill the gap until they could find a long-term sponsor.
The team could wear stylish and high-quality clothing from Killer Jeans during this time. It was a smart move by MPL to find interim sponsors, as it allowed them to focus on their sport without worrying about their clothing. Overall, the partnership with KKCL and Killer Jeans benefited MPL and helped them continue to look their best on the field.
Adidas, a well-known sportswear brand, has agreed to sponsor the Indian cricket team for five years starting June 2023. This exciting news was announced in May 2023, and the partnership will continue until March 2028. As part of the deal, Adidas will provide the Indian cricket team with the latest and best-quality kits during this period.
This sponsorship is a significant milestone for the Indian cricket team, as they will now have access to top-notch equipment, which can help enhance their performance. This partnership will also help Adidas increase its brand recognition in India and strengthen its position in the Indian sportswear market. Overall, this five-year sponsorship deal is a win-win situation for Adidas and the Indian cricket team.
ITC Limited is a well-known Indian company that sponsored the Indian cricket team’s jersey’s between 1993 to 2001. During this period, the company’s two brands, Wills and ITC Hotels, added a stylish touch to the team’s jerseys. The sponsorship helped ITC to increase its brand awareness and also helped the Indian team to look more professional.
This partnership was valuable for both parties, as ITC got its brand name out there while the Indian cricket team looked sharper than ever. Overall, it was a successful partnership that lasted for eight years and left a lasting impression on cricket fans in India and beyond.
The Indian cricket team’s sponsorship landscape has witnessed a series of ups and downs, reflecting the dynamic nature of the business environment. From the bankruptcy of Sahara to the challenges faced by Byju’s and Dream11, these changes have underscored the need for sponsors to navigate various hurdles to maintain their association with Indian cricket. As the landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen which sponsors will rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity to support the Indian cricket team in its pursuit of glory on the global stage.
Image Credit: The Smart Investor
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Aakash Mishra is a fantasy writer and prediction aficionado. Being a cricket enthusiast himself, he loves to relate and propagate about how fantasy sports platforms can be advantageous in our day to day life. Along with foretelling match results, he enjoys writing about game forecasts for all fantasy sports.
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