Is India ready for Patanjali IPL? Baba Ramdev in title sponsorship race with Jio, Tata, Coca-Cola and many more

Several major brands including the likes of Coca-Cola, Amazon, Unacademy and Byju’s among others have expressed their interest in becoming the title sponsor for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved is also among the brands in the race to bag the title sponsorship deal for IPL 2020.

BCCI has invited bids for IPL 2020 title sponsorship deal after Chinese brand Vivo’s suspension. The BCCI ended their association with Vivo this year after outrage on social media owing to the Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh where 20 Indian soldiers were martyred.

Fans were earlier sent into a frenzy on social media after reports of Patanjali bidding to become IPL’s main sponsor next season emerged. However, Ramdev has clarified that Patanjali has not made a bid yet and it will be too early to talk about the brand’s plans to become IPL 2020’s title sponsor. Ramdev said Patanjali will make a bid only if no Indian brand steps up in the title sponsorship race.

“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. Patanjali will only make bid when no other Indian company comes out or is in the fray for IPL title sponsorship deal,” Ramdev was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Ramdev also asserted that Chinese brands should not be associated with any Indian tournament as people want local companies to become sponsors. 

“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,” said Ramdev.