Amitabh is brand ambassador of Airtel Champions League

MUMBAI - Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been chosen as the brand ambassador of the upcoming cricket tournament Airtel Champions League Twenty20 to be held in South Africa by ESPN STAR Sports channel in South Africa.

“I think what makes the event even more special today is that we have two great champions of their crafts, Mr. Bachchan and Saurav (Ganguly). Airtel Champions League T20 is the world championship of T20 teams from various countries,” Manu Sawhney, managing director of ESPN STAR Sports, said a press meet here Friday.

“And for a tournament of this stature… this class, who better can be the brand ambassador than a man who truly represents tremendous amount of excellence, character, commitment - Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, who till today continues to be the great source of inspiration for all of us. So it’s my true pleasure, Mr. Bachchan, to welcome you as the brand ambassador of Airtel Champions League T20,” Sawhney said.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly will join as commentator.

“It gives me great pleasure to let you know that Sourav will be part of the commentator team, who will be sharing with you all the nuances of the game during the champion league,” said Sawhney.

Said Bachchan: “Like every other Indian, we all love cricket… cricket excites everyone in my family and other members that come to my house and every time there is a game we are following, we call up each other; we get together in the house and sit in front of the TV to enjoy the game.”

Bachchan revealed that he too had a cricketer in him.

“I used to bowl with my left hand and bat with my right hand. When we were youngsters we all believed that there is going to be a match and every thing is going to depend on this one player; we walk on and there is a massive score to achieve in a very little time and how you are going to hit the ball and getting all the adulation. Every one dreams and we all dreamt that,” said Bachchan.

Asked if he would go to South Africa to watch the matches, he said: “I don’t know. I would ask ESPN to invite me (Laughs). I would love to go there.”

Ganguly, on his part, said the Airtel Champions League T20 would be a great experience for young players.

“It will have an impact. The technicalities have to be different; the planning has to be different. What Airtel Champions League T20 will do is it will give an opportunity to the young players to play in the tough conditions with some best players in the world,” he added.

Starting Aug 26, ESPN STAR Sports will telecast the tournament to 169 countries.