India Test captain Shubman Gill, who recently impressed with the bat at Edgbaston, might have inadvertently put himself—and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)—in the midst of a great controversy. A wardrobe faux pas during the second Test can potentially upset a ₹250 crore sponsorship agreement.
Stellar Performance Overshadowed by Controversy
During the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill delivered a breathtaking performance, amassing a combined total of 430 runs across both innings – a feat that etched his name into the record books. He smashed 269 runs in the first innings and another 161 in the second, contributing largely to India’s thumping win.
Gill’s heroics, though, are set to be overshadowed by a contract breach that took place during India’s second-innings declaration at 427/6.
The Mistake: Wearing Nike Instead of Adidas
As India declared their second innings, cameras captured Shubman Gill walking out in Nike tights, a direct violation of the BCCI’s apparel sponsorship deal with Adidas. Since Adidas is the official kit sponsor of the Indian cricket team until March 2028, all players are strictly required to wear Adidas-branded gear during matches.
Wearing a rival brand like Nike—even momentarily—can be considered a serious breach of the sponsorship agreement.
What’s at Stake? ₹250 Crore Sponsorship Deal
The BCCI’s current deal with Adidas is valued at ₹250 crore, making it one of the most lucrative kit sponsorships in global cricket. Gill’s mistake could potentially threaten the integrity of this high-stakes contract.
In the view of legal professionals and sports marketing pundits, Adidas is well within its rights to cancel the agreement or seek damages for the violation of exclusivity.
Prospective Consequences: Admonishment or Legal Action?
Although Adidas technically has recourse through the courts, insiders think that it’s unlikely to happen. Due to BCCI being the richest cricket board globally, the association with Adidas continues to be lucrative for both sides.
According to reports, Adidas could decide to issue a warning rather than take the issue to court. Meanwhile, BCCI is likely to issue a formal notice to Shubman Gill requesting an explanation.
What Happens Next?
If the issue is resolved quietly, it will probably entail internal deliberations and tighter regulation of sponsorship procedures in the future. If Adidas does, however, choose to make a big statement, it has the potential to establish a precedent for tighter brand regulation across international cricket.
At present, everyone waits to see how BCCI responds—whether it’s a wrist slap or a larger reminder to the players regarding their responsibilities.
