HOUSTON (Diya TV) — Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined the US National Cricket League ownership group, a giant leap in the effort to expand cricket’s reach in the US. NCL is a new effort at popularizing the sport of cricket in the US and combines cricket icons, international players, and an entertainment package to kick off its first season.
Tendulkar, widely regarded as among the greatest players ever, is thrilled to be a part of this new development. “Cricket has been the greatest journey of my life, and it’s exhilarating to join the National Cricket League at this moment for cricket in the United States,” he said.
The NCL aims to bring top level cricket to the US while inspiring a new generation of fans. Tendulkar’s presence together with the league’s star-studded lineup is expected to increase mindshare within the U.S. cricket landscape. Tendulkar will further have the honor of presenting the championship trophy at the league’s inaugural tournament.
“Sachin’s global appeal and his dedication to the game will be key as we work to establish cricket as a major sport in the U.S., said Arun Agarwal, chairman of the NCL, who welcomed Tendulkar’s involvement with remarks that compared his impact on cricket to what sports legends like Pele did for soccer and Babe Ruth did for baseball.
The NCL inaugural season is likely to be a sport-with-fun-and-celebration blend, bringing a festive cricketing air to U.S. shores, marked by Bollywood singer Mika Singh providing entertainment, and theme nights galore. Cricketing icons, such as Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram, and Sir Vivian Richards, to name a few, have agreed to mentor and guide the next generation of cricketers with the top players of the world Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, and Dinesh Karthik.
The league has also introduced a new format of play referred to as “Sixty Strikes,” a fast game meant to engage a more youthful audience and have the game of cricket be more accessible in the U.S. to the growing fan base.
