IPL 2020: dates fixed, so are China-linked sponsors annoying fans

After months of deliberation and dates getting pushed several times due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, cricket fans were finally happy to see their favourite game finally taking place between September 19 and November 10.

However the happiness was short-lived as fans were annoyed about the IPL Governing Council’s decision to retain all its sponsors, including Chinese mobile company VIVO. As title sponsor, VIVO pays around Rs.440 crore per year, a five year deal that ends in 2022.

This did not go well with the cricket fans, notably because of the aftermath of the clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Eastern Ladakh.

As the news of retention of Chinese sponsors broke on social media, #BoycottIPL followed next. The decision is subject to approval from the government. According to IPL GC, it would have been difficult to get new sponsors for the Board at a short period of time, considering the current financial situation due to pandemic.

BCCI had earlier said that it would reconsider the sponsorships in the wake of the border tensions with China, which led to 20 Indian soldiers being killed in a clash on June 15.

The governing council’s decision came at a time when the country saw a blanket ban of 59 apps in the country. As many as 275 apps were also put under scrutiny for potential user privacy violations and national security threats.

The other sponsors include Dream 11, as online fantasy league partner, and Swiggy, as associate sponsor- both have links to Chinese internet giant Tencent.