Fantasy to real cricket, Dream11 bets big on IPL

Mumbai-based online fantasy sports platform Dream11, founded by two Indian entrepreneurs in 2008, has bagged title sponsorship rights for the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) after Chinese smartphone company Vivo exited the space.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this month decided to officially announce the suspension of the partnership with title sponsors Vivo.

The decision came amid border tensions with China that led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers in Eastern Ladakh, triggering nationwide outrage.

With activists calling for boycott of Chinese goods in view of the standoff, questions were also raised on Chinese investment in Indian cricket in general and Vivo’s title sponsorship of IPL in particular.