BCCI decides to continue with Vivo as the title sponsor for IPL 2020

Vivo’s association with the Indian Premier League as the title sponsor was in jeopardy due to the rising border tension between India and China. During the border stand-off between both the countries in June, at least 20 Indian soldiers attained martyrdom along the LAC in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, leading to many people in the country calling for boycott of Chinese products.

Vivo, a Chinese technology company, which is the sponsor of the IPL, was also targeted for its relationship with the Indian board. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in its all-important Governing Council meeting on Sunday, have decided to continue with Vivo as the title sponsor for the upcoming edition.

A BCCI official revealed that the matter was discussed in the meeting and it was decided to continue with VIVO as title sponsor. “The BCCI has taken this decision after the perusal of the sponsorship agreement and the ownership pattern and upon receiving legal advice in the matter,” the official said as quoted by Cricket Next.

The BCCI, in the wake of India-China border stand-off, had also tweeted out regarding the issue on June 19. “Taking note of the border skirmish that resulted in the martyrdom of our brave jawans, the IPL Governing Council has convened a meeting next week to review IPL’s various sponsorship deals.” the official handle of the IPL had said.

IPL 2020 has got a go-ahead from the sports ministry

Apart from continuing with Vivo as title sponsor, it was also decided that the IPL final will be played on a Tuesday (November 10) and there will be 10 doubleheaders this time in the cash-rich league.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-awaited thirteenth edition of the IPL has acquired a go-ahead from the Sports Ministry to shift the tournament to the UAE. The T20 extravaganza will be held from September 19 to November 10 and the evening matches will start at 7:30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST).

The BCCI, at the moment, is looking to stage the tournament behind closed doors. However, if the UAE government permits, a collective decision will be taken on whether to permit spectators.  The squad strength has been limited to 24 players each and the franchises will be informed about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) soon.