Amid LAC standoff, BCCI retains Chinese sponsors for IPL 2020

The Indian Premier League’s Governing Council decided to retain all its sponsors, including Chinese mobile company VIVO. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier promised to review the deals with the Chinese sponsors after the violent faceoff between the Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh on 15-16 June in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

A statement issued by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, meanwhile, stated that the governing council’s decision was “subject to necessary clearances” from the government. The tournament will be played from 19 September to 10 November, the IPL Governing Council decided after a virtual meeting. The 53-day tournament will witness 10-afternoon matches starting at 15:30 IST while the evening matches will start at 19:30 IST.

The board stated in a release, “Taking note of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India, the IPL GC decided to stage the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the matches will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi subject to necessary clearances from the Government of India. The Governing Council also discussed the comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which will be finalised and published in due course, including the agencies to execute and deliver a bio-secure environment for safe and successful conduct of IPL 2020 Season. The Governing Council also reviewed the Player Regulations for replacement player for 2020 season.”

In another major decision, the IPL Governing Council also approved the women’s IPL. The BCCI said, “Women’s T20 Challenge will also take place in the UAE and will comprise three teams with four matches to be played during the IPL Playoff week.”

 It is expected that the squad strength in terms of playing members will be 24 the eight franchises. On the other hand, the franchises will be allowed to take a call on where they would want to host their training camps. A meeting with the franchises will be called shortly.