Claim: That Vimal Pan Masala has become the new title sponsor of the Indian cricket team after Dream11’s exit following the Online Gaming Amendment 2025.
Verdict: False Claim
Why This Claim Has Set Social Media on Fire?
A picture showing Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and BCCI Executive President Rajiv Shukla proudly holding the Indian cricket team’s jersey with a Vimal Pan Masala logo has gone viral.That Vimal Pan Masala has become the new title sponsor of the Indian cricket team after Dream11’s exit following the Online Gaming Amendment 2025. The image has sparked outrage, memes, and heated debates. But here’s the real twist and none of this is true.
FactCheck India’s investigation confirms that the viral image is AI-generated and manipulated.
There has been no announcement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or Vimal Pan Masala regarding any sponsorship deal.
How the Rumor Went Viral
On August 27, 2025, Facebook user Sameer Roy posted the image with a fiery caption:
“This is an insult to India. Now the stadium will turn red when people eat Vimal and shout ‘Wah Juba Kesari’. BCCI promoted Vimal Gutkha on the Indian cricket team’s jersey. Such cheap thinking.”
The post spread like wildfire, amassing thousands of shares on Facebook, X, and Instagram, leading many cricket fans to believe the claim was genuine.
What FactCheck India’s Investigation Found?
1. No Official Statement From BCCI
- We checked the official BCCI website and there’s no update or press release announcing any deal with Vimal Pan Masala.
- The BCCI’s partners section still lists Dream11 as the title sponsor, confirming that no new sponsor has been finalized.
2. No Credible News Reports
- We ran an extensive search across reliable publications including ESPN, Cricbuzz, MoneyControl, and Hindustan Times.
- Result? There’s not a single credible report confirming Vimal Pan Masala’s sponsorship of Team India.
- Instead, all coverage points to BCCI still being in talks with potential sponsors after the Dream11 exit.
3. AI Detection Confirms Manipulation
We ran the viral image through advanced AI detection tools, and the results were crystal clear:
| Tool Used | Result | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| AI Content Detector | AI-generated | 82% |
| AI Image Detector | AI-generated | 100% |
Lighting inconsistencies, mismatched jersey textures, and distorted shadows are classic AI-generation artifacts. The image was fabricated to mislead cricket fans and create controversy.
4. The Truth Behind Dream11’s Exit
The confusion started after Dream11 ended its ₹358 crore sponsorship deal with BCCI midway through a three-year contract signed in July 2023.
Why the sudden exit?
- On August 23, 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 received Presidential approval.
- The law restricts online money gaming to curb risks like financial fraud, money laundering, and illegal betting.
- As a result, Dream11 had to pull out, forcing BCCI to hunt for a new main sponsor.
But here’s the key: No deal has been signed yet, and the Vimal Pan Masala claim is pure fiction.
5. Expert Confirmation
FactCheck India spoke with sports analyst Syed Hussain, who clarified:
“The viral claim is completely false. BCCI has not signed any sponsorship deal with Vimal Pan Masala. Negotiations with brands are ongoing, but nothing has been finalized.”
6. The Source Behind the Misinformation
The first viral post came from a Patna-based Facebook user with 63,000 followers, known for sharing sensational and unverified claims to boost engagement.
FactCheck India’s Conclusion
The image showing Vimal Pan Masala as the official sponsor of Team India’s jersey is AI-generated and fake.
- No announcement from BCCI
- No deal with Vimal Pan Masala
- AI manipulation confirmed
Verdict: False Claim | AI-Generated Image. This is yet another example of AI-powered misinformation designed to spark outrage and mislead fans.