In a landmark move, Apollo Tyres has bagged the jersey sponsorship rights for the Indian cricket team with a record bid of ₹579 crore. The deal spans two-and-a-half years and covers 121 bilateral games and 21 ICC matches, marking Apollo Tyres’ first-ever entry into Indian cricket sponsorship.
The Gurgaon-based tyre giant outbid Canva (₹544 crore) and JK Cements (₹477 crore) to clinch the partnership. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not disclose the exact bid amount but confirmed a “substantial increase” in sponsorship value, reflecting the unmatched commercial appeal of Indian cricket. The deal works out to nearly ₹4.77 crore per match, significantly above the base price of ₹3.5 crore for bilateral games and ₹1.5 crore for ICC events.
Neeraj Kanwar, Vice-Chairman and MD of Apollo Tyres, called the association “an honour” and emphasized that the partnership is about national pride, consumer trust, and creating unforgettable moments for fans worldwide. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia echoed the sentiment, calling the collaboration “more than a commercial agreement” and a partnership between two trusted institutions.
The sponsorship comes at a crucial time for the BCCI, which was forced to cancel its previous deal with Dream11 after a government ban on real-money gaming companies. Unlike its predecessor’s ₹358 crore contract, Apollo Tyres has committed nearly ₹200 crore more, underlining cricket’s growing sponsorship value.
Apollo’s logo will debut on the jerseys during India A’s ODI series against Australia in Kanpur starting September 30. The first major international outing for the new sponsor will be India’s home Test series against the West Indies, followed by a white-ball tour in Australia.
With this milestone deal, Apollo Tyres not only cements its brand presence in over 100 countries but also makes a powerful entry into India’s most beloved sport.