Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was on Monday roped in as brand ambassador of the Indian Premier League's 'Delhi Daredevils' team.
Akshay, born and brought up in the capital's Chandni Chowk area, surprised a packed room at a five star hotel when he emerged in dim light making a batting gesture with helmets and a willow in Daredevils' red and black shirt.
"My heart beats for Delhi. I consider myself a pucca Dilliwalah. I would like to thank the GMR Group (team owners) for choosing me as the first fan of Delhi Daredevils. I hope I become a lucky mascot for the team," the actor said with his trademark mischievous smile.
The actor, who gave to big hits recently, advised probing journalists not to think of his involvement in IPL as taking on fellow actor Shah Rukh Khan and think of him as a Delhiite, who wish to bring success to the team.
"Please keep such things aside. Why do you think of such things? I am sportsman also. Let us talk about cricket. I want to commit myself on some things which are very dear to me, that is why I am here."
"I have endorsed very few products in my 18-year film career, Coca Cola and Grasim. This (becoming brand ambassador of Delhi IPL team) is very dear to me since I am Delhiite in my heart," Akshay said.
He laughed at a suggestion that actors are involving in cricket because of Bollywood's diminishing entertaining value to the people.
"When we are invited in many cricket functions, do they mean that cricket is reaching out to Bollywood to attract people," he countered.
Akhsay praised Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag for scoring a triple century in India's first Test against South Africa in Chennai and also welcomed Pakistani stars Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Asif to the team. He also formally launched the team website www.delhidaredevils.com.
