Patanjali will only make bid when no other Indian company bids for IPL sponsorship: Ramdev

Yoga Maestro Ramdev was clear cut in saying that Patanjali will only bid for the title sponsorship of the Indian Premier League (IPL) if other Indian companies don’t step in for the same. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is trying hard to find new sponsors after mobile brand VIVO backed out following the altercation between the Indian and Chinese Government.

Ramdev also said that he won’t be entertaining any Chinese products to dominate the Indian market. Earlier, the Indian government banned as many as 59 Chinese applications after the cross-border tensions. Along with Patanjali, a number of brands like Amazon, Byju’s and Unacademy are said to be in race to become the title sponsors of the popular T20 tournament.

People do not want Chinese products or firms in cricket: Ramdev

“It is too early to talk about it as Patanjali will only come to the forefront (for IPL title sponsorship) if other Indian corporate houses don’t make any bid for the IPL title sponsorship,” Ramdev was quoted as saying at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar on Sunday, August 16, reported by Hindustan Times.

“Patanjali will only make bid when no other Indian company comes out or is in the fray for IPL title sponsorship deal. There are many Indian firms, corporates and companies that have been investing, sponsoring and associated with international cricket and IPL.

“People do not want Chinese products or firms to be associated with cricket and other sports, which clearly indicates Indians being vocal for local,” he stated.

“After Doklam, India-China relations have soured and Indians have realised the nefarious designs of China, so it is imperative we opt for localised indigenous products only,” Ramdev added.

The world’s richest cricket board has invited expression of interest for the title sponsorship rights of IPL season 2020. The T20 event is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after it was moved out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IPL was earlier set to start on March 29, but the coronavirus pandemic led to its indefinite postponement. If the IPL doesn’t take place, then the BCCI stands to lose around INR 4,000 crores.