Tata Group to replace Vivo as IPL title sponsor: Chairman

Vivo still has two years left in its sponsorship deal with the league and as a result, Tata will continue to be the main sponsor during this period.

The formal approval was given after the IPL Governing Council meeting on Tuesday and both Ahmedabad and Lucknow have also been given deadlines for the player’s signature ahead of the mega auction.

Vivo did the deal 2,200 crore for title sponsorship rights from 2018-2022, but after the 2020 Galwan Valley Military Face-off between Indian and Chinese Army soldiers, the brand took a break for a year and was replaced by Dream11.

Although Vivo was back as the sponsor of the IPL in 2021, even as speculation swirled that they were looking to transfer the rights to a suitable bidder and the BCCI approved the move.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that the board will try to take Indian cricket and IPL to new heights in association with the Tata group.

“This is indeed a momentous occasion for BCCI IPL as the Tata Group is the epitome of global Indian enterprise, with a 100-year-old legacy and operations in over 100 countries across six continents. Like the Tata Group, BCCI is keen on cricket across international borders. The IPL’s growing popularity as a global sports franchise testifies to the efforts of the BCCI to promote the spirit of the sport,” Shah said in an official statement.

He said, “We are really happy that India’s largest and most trusted business group has believed in the growth story of IPL and together with the Tata Group, we will strive to take Indian cricket and IPL to greater heights. “

IPL is all set to be a 10-team tournament in 2022 as RPS Goenka Group has bagged its Lucknow-based franchise for the highest bid. 7,090 crores. Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad-based franchise will be owned by CVC Group after the winning bid by CVC Capital 5,625 crores.

News agency ANI had earlier reported that the 2022 mega auction will be held in Bengaluru in the second week of February.

In November last year, all the current IPL franchises had revealed their retained players list ahead of the upcoming season’s mega auction.

MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell are some of the big names that the current franchises have decided to retain for IPL 2022.

The budget of two new IPL franchises – Lucknow and Ahmedabad is 33 crores to select three players who will go back to the pool before the start of the mega auction.

The first season of the IPL was played in 2008, and since then, the league has grown in stature and is one of the most watched competitions in the world.

Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals have been with it since the inception of the league. The Hyderabad franchise was earlier named as Deccan Chargers, but came to be known as Sunrisers Hyderabad after a change in ownership.