The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Deccan Chargers arrive with verve

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Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Deccan Chargers arrive with verve

V. V. Subrahmanyam

Much-awaited name of IPL Hyderabad team’s logo, flag and website launched

- PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Starry fare: Actor Sameera Reddy performing at the launch of Deccan Chargers on Tuesday.

HYDERABAD: Amidst a symphony of sound beats, tuned by Mumbai’s Taufiq Qureshi, and a mix of colourful dance items by Sameera Reddy, and a troupe of Casino girls, the much-awaited name of the Hyderabad team in the Indian Premier League, its logo, flag and a website were launched at a function here on Tuesday night.

The team will be called Deccan Chargers and will be led by city’s very own V.V. S. Laxman and the big announcement of the show was naming former Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist as vice-captain. Some of the members of the team including Rohit Sharma, including Rohit Sharma, were introduced to the select gathering.

G.Vinod, Minister for Labour & Employment and president of Hyderabad Cricket Association, handed over the team’s flag to Laxman and expressed the hope that the local team would emerge champions.

In his typical style, Laxman promised a very, very special performance from the team in the IPL. “It has the balance the potential to be the best in the League. And it is a huge honour to lead such a side which as the likes of Gilchrist, Andrew Symmonds, Herschelle Gibbs and Shahid Afridi besides some very talented domestic cricketers from the ‘catchment area’,” he said amidst applause. The stylish batsman also hoped that the development programmes for cricket in interior places should usher in a new chapter and see more Hyderabadis play for the country.

There was huge disappointment for the large media contingent and the fans in general as none of the international cricketers who signed up for Hyderabad did not turn up. And a video message of Gilchrist was played to the audience. “I believe this IPL is the most exciting thing to have happened to cricket after the Kerry Packer Series in late 70s. “Personally, it is a huge privilege to play for Hyderabad and I am confident my team will put up a great performance in the League,” he commented. “This Deccan Chargers should satiate the urge of the passionate fans of India and Hyderabad in particular,” Gilchrist remarked.

G. Vinod reminded that the Hyderabad Cricket Association will put in place a truly world class, floodlit stadium for the IPL.

“We assure complete support to the Deccan Chargers franchise in their efforts to make the event a truly spectator friendly championship,” he remarked. “It may not be out of place to stress the contribution of people like N. Shivlal Yadav (HCA secretary) and his team who saw to that the stadium was in place despite all odds,” he said amidst applause.

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