It’s not just a game now for Sohail Khan, who seems to be putting all his energies into making sure his celebrity cricket team, Mumbai Heroes, gives a better
performance this time. He says, “South stars churn out more films than us, and yet they found time to practice and win last year. So this time, I made sure my team has got its act together and is practising more regularly.”His team, already six weeks into practice for the forthcoming season, is adding players for an on-field offensive style. While other players are more or less the same, Riteish Deshmukh has been appointed the vice captain and Bobby Deol has joined as a bowler.
Sohail says, "We have roped in Bobby for his excellent bowling skills. He is good with the bat too, but it’s his swingers that impressed our captain Suniel (Shetty) and me. Bobby is a good bet to spearhead the bowling attack. And he can be a solid batsman to hold the middle order if the going gets tough."
Excited about being part of the team, Bobby says, “I have always loved outdoor sports. If India is playing a match, I make sure I watch it even when I am shooting.
{{/usCountry}}Excited about being part of the team, Bobby says, “I have always loved outdoor sports. If India is playing a match, I make sure I watch it even when I am shooting.
{{/usCountry}}Like most Indians, I also play cricket with friends on weekends.”
Along with Riteish and the other team members, Bobby has been practising at the Air India ground in the suburbs, under the tutelage of former World Cup winner and Indian Test cricketer, Balvinder Singh Sandhu. The team will be playing the matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, which has been announced as the home venue of the Mumbai Heroes team. Sandhu says, “The competition this year will be tougher with two new teams - Bengal Tigers and Superstars Kerala- being added to the fray.”
The matches will be played in Dubai, Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad from January 13 to February 12.