BCCI is looking for a title sponsor for the upcoming 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE, after VIVO, a Chinese smartphone maker pulled out of this season due to mounting anti-China sentiments in the country.
Therefore the Indian board floated tender for new title sponsors for four months. One of the companies to show interest in sponsorship is Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved. However, Baba Ramdev had put forth a condition for Patanjali to become the title sponsors.
“It is too early to talk about it as Patanjali will only come to the forefront (for IPL title sponsorship) if other Indian corporate houses don’t make any bid for the IPL title sponsorship,” Ramdev was quoted as saying at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, reported by the Hindustan Times.
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“Patanjali will only make a bid when no other Indian company comes out or is in the fray for IPL title sponsorship deal. There are many Indian firms, corporates, and companies that have been investing, sponsoring, and associated with international cricket and IPL. People do not want Chinese products or firms to be associated with cricket and other sports, which clearly indicates Indians being vocal for local,” he stated.
“After Doklam, India-China relations have soured and Indians have realized the nefarious designs of China, so it is imperative we opt for localized indigenous products only,” Ramdev added.
Amazon, Byju's, Tata, and MyDream 11 are some other companies that have shown interest in becoming IPL 2020’s title sponsors.
The IPL 2020 will begin on September 19 in UAE.
