By IANS
Chennai : Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth who is brand ambassador for Chennai Super Kings, one of the eight teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, believes he is tailor-made for the role.
Speaking on the occasion of the formal launch of the team, its logo and colours here Monday, the former opener had the huge turnout of media and special invitees in splits with his typical tongue-in-cheek statements.
When asked about his role and duties as brand ambassador, he quipped: “I have not yet been told as to what my duties are. But I think I am fit for the role since I don’t think I have ever played for more than 20 overs in any match! And this being a Twenty20 tournament, I feel it suits me just fine.”
On a serious note, Srikkanth, 48, said: “I will do my job with passion. I have been a brand ambassador for various products, but representing the Chennai Super Kings is the closest to my heart.
“I will do whatever is asked of me to promote the team and ensure that it receives full support from the public, especially Chennaiites.”
He was speaking two days before the players’ auction in Mumbai. The eight franchises who spent more than $718 million to get the team rights will be present at the auction.
They are Mumbai team (Mukesh Ambani), Bangalore (Vijay Mallya), Kolkata (Shah Rukh Khan), Chandigarh (Preity Zinta), Jaipur (Emerging Media), Hyderabad (Deccan Chronicle), Chennai (India Cements) and Delhi (GMR Group).
While each team will be allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players, only four will be able to play in the XI.
In the tournament, based on Twenty20 matches, 59 matches will be played in 44 days starting April 18.