The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday suspended the title sponsorship agreement for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Chinese mobile phone company Vivo (VIVO) amid growing tensions between India and China. The BCCI sent a one-line statement in which no detailed information was given and it said that Vivo will not be associated with the IPL this year.

According to the press release, ‘BCCI and Vivo Mobile India Private Limited have decided to suspend their partnership for the Indian Premier League in 2020.’ Vivo has paid Rs 2190 crore for 4 years from 2018 to 2022 (about 440 each year Crore rupees).

According to the BCCI’s own constitution, the tender process is likely to begin for the new title sponsor. The IPL will start in the UAE from 19 September, which has to be held abroad due to the growing Covid-19 cases in India. This year, due to the corona virus epidemic, many strict rules have been made, which will be necessary for all players and support staff.