Vivo, the Chinese smartphone maker, had pulled out of its IPL (Indian Premier League) contract that was supposed to last until 2023. The reliable Tata Group stepped in to fill the void, thus extending its association with Indian sports from tennis and badminton to cricket. As a result, the Tata Group will have to pay more than ₹440 crore per year, which is more than Vivo was paying, due to the increase in the number of matches per edition from 60 to 74.
Brijesh Patel, the IPL Governing Council's (GC) chairman, confirmed that the mega-auction will take place in Bengaluru next month, and the decision to award the Letter of Intent to the promoters of Ahmedabad and Lucknow franchises has been ratified. He added that "As of now, the IPL Auction will be scheduled in Bengaluru on Feb. 12 and 13. The two new teams will get two weeks to finalize their pre-auction signings, so depending on whether the letter is delivered today or tomorrow, they will have to submit the names around Jan. 25."
The 15th edition of the IPL may be impacted by the recent COVID-19 surge, with last year’s tournament being suspended midway through before being moved overseas. After discussing the issue, the GC has decided to adopt a "wait and watch" approach. According to Brijesh Patel, "It is too early to take a call on IPL venues due to the dynamic COVID-19 scenario. We are hoping that we’ll be able to stage it in India. For that to happen, we will wait as late as possible."
The IPL is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The league was founded in 2008 and has since grown in popularity, attracting players from all over the world. It is now considered one of the most-watched cricket leagues globally and has a massive fan following in India.
The Tata Group, which has been operating in India for over 150 years, is a significant player in the country's business landscape. The group is involved in a wide range of industries, including steel, automobiles, chemicals, and information technology. The Tata Group is also known for its philanthropic activities and has donated billions of dollars to various causes over the years.
In conclusion, the Tata Group's decision to take over Vivo's IPL contract has extended its association with Indian sports from tennis and badminton to cricket. Despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the IPL GC has decided to adopt a "wait and watch" approach before deciding on the fate of the 15th edition of the IPL. The league's popularity continues to grow, and with the addition of new franchises, it is expected to attract even more viewers in the coming years.
