DLF wins title sponsorship rights for IPL

New Delhi, Feb 13 (UNI) The Indian Premier League (IPL) today announced that DLF has won the title sponsorship rights for the cricket extravaganza that is set to kick off on April 18, 2008.

Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL, Lalit Modi said, ''The Title Sponsorship race was tightly contested between three participants, with DLF emerging the final winner through a fair and transparent process. I am truly happy to have India's leading real estate company DLF as our title sponsors as they happen to share a common vision with the BCCI to make the Indian Premier League, one of finest cricketing leagues in the world.'' ''It is exciting to have an eclectic mix of elite Indian businessmen, Bollywood personalities and corporates as our allies, working collectively as one to ensure the success of the IPL. On behalf of the IPL Governing Council, I would like to thank everyone who participated and supported us throughout the bidding process,'' he added.

The IPL will kick off on April 18, with some high voltage action expected between Sharukh Khan's Kolkata franchise and business baron Vijay Mallya's Bangalore Team at the Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore.

The IPL will feature eight franchises who will play each other on a home and away basis with seven matches at home.

The tournament will run for 44 days with the semi-finals and final to be played in Mumbai.

The IPL will feature a total of 59 matches which will be telecast during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time for television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience.

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