Chinese smartphone company VIVO has returned as the title sponsor for IPL 2021 and will continue in the same position for the next two years as well.

The tensions at the border between India and China in 2020 after the Galwan valley clashes led to national sentiments turning against the Chinese and their companies faced backlash. This also did not allow the BCCI to keep Vivo as the title sponsor last year and it was replaced by an Indian company, Dream11.

The sponsorship from Dream11 was just 50% of that offered by Vivo and the resumption of the contract is a happy piece of news for the BCCI and IPL. The deal of sponsorship of INR 440 crores per year by Vivo will now be continued in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as announced by IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel.

Patel said at the IPL 2021 auction, "I am happy to announce that Vivo is back on board with us. This edition of the league will be known as the Vivo Indian Premier League. Welcome back team Vivo."

BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal also said that the IPL did its duty when the national sentiment wanted Vivo to be discontinued as the title sponsor. Dhumal said, "When BCCI needed to act as per sentiment of the country, we acted last year."

Vivo refused to comment or speak a few words on the resumption of the deal. A Vivo spokesperson just brushed off the matter saying, "Whatever is out, is out in the public domain. We have no comments to offer."

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)