Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said that the new jersey sponsor of Team India will be finalised in the next two to three weeks, with the bids scheduled to close on September 16.
Currently, Team India is featuring in the Asia Cup 2025 without a sponsor. Earlier, the BCCI`s deal of Rs 358 crore per year with online gaming company, Dream 11, was cut short due to the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which banned real-money gaming applications.
The BCCI has since floated a new tender that bars companies involved in real-money gaming, betting, cryptocurrency, or alcoholic products from bidding.
“The tender process has been released, and there are a lot of bidders. We will tell you after it`s finalised. I think it will be finalised in 15-20 days,” said Shukla at an event organised by realtors` apex body CREDAI.
When asked if there is any frontrunner among the bidders, Shukla said, “No, there is no name yet. There are a lot of bidders. We will tell you after it`s finalised”.
Shukla also spoke about the recent GST hike on Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets, which now places them in the 40 per cent slab, along with casinos and race clubs.
Shukla is aware that the increase in prices of the IPL tickets will have an impact, but is also hopeful that people continue to come to watch matches.
“I am seeing that a lot of common people come to watch IPL. It will definitely have an impact. But I am hopeful that a lot of people will come to watch IPL,” he said.
Earlier, a ticket, which used to cost Rs 500, will now be available for Rs 700, while those costing Rs 2,000 will now cost Rs 2,800. Regular international and domestic match tickets will continue to attract 18 per cent GST.
On criticism that the BCCI enjoys tax exemptions, he responded, “BCCI pays income tax like a corporate company. It also pays GST. We don`t have any exemptions. We pay thousands of crores of taxes. State associations also pay taxes. And we never take a single rupee grant from the government.”
Speaking on the growth of women`s cricket, Shukla said, “A lot of efforts are being made… The only challenge is that the stadium should be full. Women should also come to watch the game. From our side, we are doing everything. The salary is also at par”.
The 66-year-old further stated that all the initiatives and facilities are taken care of by the board, and the only challenge they are facing is the low turnout of spectators for women`s matches.
“We are promoting women, organising tournaments, all facilities are being provided. The only thing is that people should come and watch women`s games,” he signed off.
(With PTI Inputs)
