R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, DEC 27
Superstar and National Award winner Suriya on Wednesday said he has joined the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) as the owner of team Chennai.
Congratulations @Suriya_offl sir✨
Wishing you great success in this new endeavorRegister now at: https://t.co/YupDbw0M17🏏#ISPL @ispl_t10 #Street2Stadium https://t.co/7Ty8EkQD1v
— 2D Entertainment (@2D_ENTPVTLTD) December 27, 2023
The ISPL is India’s first tennis ball T10 cricket tournament that will be played inside a stadium, according to a press release. The inaugural edition is scheduled to be held from March 2 to March 9 in Mumbai.
The tournament will feature 19 high-intensity matches, boasting a line-up of six teams – Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar.
Suriya said he is looking forward to being part of the league.
“Vanakkam Chennai! I am beyond electrified to announce the ownership of our Team Chennai in ISPLT10. To all the cricket enthusiasts, let’s create a legacy of sportsmanship, resilience, and cricketing excellence together,” the actor wrote on his official X page.
Suriya, renowned as an actor, producer, and now owner of ISPL’s Chennai team, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Being part of ISPL is an honor as it’s a platform dedicated to highlighting cricketing talent across India. Chennai holds a special place in cricket history, with the MA Chidambaram Stadium being India’s oldest venue in continuous use. The Chennai ISPL team aims to offer local talent a distinct opportunity to exhibit their cricketing prowess in this thrilling new format.”
Ashish Shelar, Core Committee Member of the Indian Street Premier League, expressed, “Suriya’s collaboration with ISPL injects a unique fervor into the league. His love for cricket and immense popularity will undoubtedly motivate young talents in Chennai to showcase their skills. With teams from across India participating, we anticipate an exhilarating season.”
Amol Kale, another Core Committee Member, stated, “ISPL isn’t just a cricket league; it’s a platform for budding talents. Suriya joining adds to the league’s charm and diversity. It’s a golden opportunity for aspiring cricketers in Chennai to create a legacy!”
Suraj Samat, ISPL League Commissioner, commented, “Suriya’s association with the Chennai team raises the competitive bar. The inaugural season promises action-packed games! We eagerly anticipate Team Chennai, under Suriya’s leadership, making a substantial impact.”
Recently, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, and Ram Charan were announced as the team owners of Mumbai, Srinagar, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, respectively.
In an innovative approach, ISPL introduces an inclusive policy, eliminating age restrictions, except for the mandatory inclusion of at least one U-19 player in the playing XI, aiming to unearth latent talent and provide a platform for emerging cricketers.