Sky Sports has announced a rekindled relationship with one of cricket’s biggest T20 tournaments, securing a three year broadcast deal with the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL).
As part of the agreement, Sky Sports will exclusively air all 60 of the tournaments games starting 29th March.
Rob Webster, Sky Sports’ managing director stated: “The VIVO IPL is a truly spectacular competition and one that grips you from start to finish. The tournament features the world’s best T20 players, all playing in-front of thousands of passionate fans across India.
“We’re thrilled to add the VIVO IPL to an already busy cricketing calendar for 2020 joining events such as the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cup’s from Australia. England’s international summer will feature visits from Australia, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland, as well as domestic cricket which will be headlined by The Hundred.”
Sky Sports had previously been a broadcast partner of VIVO, however, agreement disputes with the IPL’s global rights partner, Star India, allowed BT Sport to land a one year deal for the competition.
It was reported that BT Sport were still interested in pursuing another deal with the cricket league however Sky has yet again secured the IPL rights.
Sky Sports already boasted an impressive cricket portfolio for 2020 with England home international matches, overseas tours, International Cricket Council (ICC) events and domestic tournaments, including the new 100-ball competition, ‘The Hundred’ all being broadcast on the platform.
Along with having some of the world’s best cricket players in its league, the IPL also features an array of English talents with Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes participating in the upcoming campaign.
Last season’s victors, the Mumbai Indians, will be hoping to defend its title coming into 2020, especially with Sky seemingly putting more of an emphasis on cricket in its broadcasts for the foreseeable future.
