Star India is set to replace Sahara India as the official team sponsor of the Indian cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the sponsor after the bids were opened on Monday afternoon. Star India and Sahara India Financial Corporation were the only bidders. Despite Sahara’s higher bid it was not considered “as it filed litigation against the BCCI,” Gautam Rai, member, BCCI, told newspersons after the board’s marketing committee meeting.

According to N Srinivasan, President, BCCI, “The marketing committee went in to it (the bid) and was advised by BCCI's legal advisors. Sahara’s bid was not eligible and the other bid was opened. Since it was well above the reserve price, the rights were awarded to Star.”

To a question on whether base value was reduced, Srinivasan said, “We already placed the reserve price at Rs 1.50 crore and we got a much higher figure.”

Star India has been awarded the team sponsorship rights covering BCCI events, International Cricket Council (ICC) events and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017.

Star’s logo will be displayed on the team clothing of senior men’s cricket team, the U-19 men’s cricket team, the men’s A-team and the women’s team.

“Star is the title sponsor for BCCI international and domestic matches for the period October 2013 to March 31, 2014, as well as the holder of the broadcast, Internet and mobile rights of cricket in India for the period July 2012 till March 2018. Star has a deep understanding of the game of cricket, and what it means to the nation. We are pleased to extend our association with them,” Sanjay Patel, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, said in a statement.

The tender document was available from November 11 and picked up by seven prospective bidders. Bids were accepted until 3 p.m. on Monday.

Addressing media persons, Abhijit Sarkar, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara India Pariwar, said it bid Rs 2.35 crore per match while Star bid Rs 1.92 crore per match. For all the matches, including BCCI, ICCI, ACC and other events, Sahara’s bid was Rs 252 crore while Star’s was Rs 203 crore.

“Ours was the higher bid and we came here at the request of Indian cricketers and existing board officials. They said in last 14 years Sahara has been supporting the Indian cricket team and should not discontinue. Even when we picked the bid, they did not give us any idea that they are not going to consider us. They should have told us in advance. From June, they should not have taken the money from us for sponsorship till December,” he said.

Raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in

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