Here’s how China is a part of IPL this season

China doesn’t have an official cricket team, but every year during IPL, China comes alive. Now that IPL is back with another season, mobile maker Gionee, based in Shenzhen, China, has bagged the principal sponsor rights for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), led by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

Other Chinese names that one would hear in this IPL are Vivo, Oppo and Lenovo-owned Motorola.

Gionee already had the rights for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and now with RCB, they have also signed up Kohli as the main sports brand ambassador.

"Cricket and Bollywood are two religions in India. Today, a visibility in the IPL is as important for a company as it is to be there during Diwali," Arvind Vohra, the head of Gionee in India, told TOI.

Also read: How much more brands can India’s handset market absorb?

As per reports, Gionee will be spending around Rs 75 crore on cricket in India this year, for front jersey for KKR and RCB. "Out of around 60 matches to be played in the IPL, we have now been assured of a visibility in at least 28 outings," Vohra said.

Oppo, which is also seeing India as a major market, will be spending even more, having signed a 5-year contract for being the official sponsor of the Man in Blue. Although there have been no official statements, BCCI sources estimate it to be Rs 1,079 crore.

(Image source SportsRants)