Guwahati: Amid severe backlash on social media, Chinese firm VIVO has decided to pull out as the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for this year's edition.
This development has been reported after the BCCI on Sunday had announced that all sponsors were being retained.
However, it has been reported that VIVO pulled out following criticism on social media in the backdrop of the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley in June.
VIVO had paid Rs 2,199 crore for a five-year contract with the cash-rich league in 2018.
VIVO's parting of ways with the Indian league comes days after the BCCI had announced that the 2020 season will be played from September 19 to November 10 in the United Arab Emirates.
According to preliminary reports, the IPL 2020 will be held at three venues in the UAE -- Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. This will be subject to the UAE government's approval.
"The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC) met today via video-conference to decide on the issues concerning the VIVO IPL 2020 edition. 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," BCCI had stated in a release.
As per the BCCI, the IPL 2020 will be played from 19th September and the final will be played on 10th November 2020.
The 53-day tournament will see the holding of 10-afternoon matches that shall begin at 15:30 pm IST. The evening matches in this year's event will commence at 19:30 pm.