NEW DELHI: In a strategic move marking their entry into the Indian sports entertainment market, BharatRizin has acquired the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) franchisee Bhojpuri Dabanggs. The announcement was made by BharatRizin directors Kanishk Sheel, Sushil Sharma, Sushil Malik, and Rahul Mishra in the presence of Bhojpuri Dabanggs captain and Member of Parliament, Manoj Tiwari.
Addressing the development, Tiwari expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming 10th season of the CCL, stating, “Our new promoters are established, successful business leaders, and we believe they will be the right fit to realise the full potential of the Bhojpuri Dabanggs brand going forward.” He welcomed BharatRizin and their new ideas, aiming to improve upon their runner-up finish in the previous season.
Discussing the simultaneous occurrence of the crucial Lok Sabha election and the CCL league with The New Indian, the 54-year-old MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan, asserted, “We will unequivocally prioritise the nation over cricket. Whatever is within our capacity, we shall execute. However, when parliamentary or constituency responsibilities arise, precedence shall be given to those.”
Kishan congratulated BharatRizin, anticipating a strong performance in the upcoming season. Vishnu Vardhan Induri, Founder and Managing Director of CCL, welcomed the corporate leaders, expressing confidence in the league’s enormous potential.
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Khesari Lal Yadav, an actor and singer famed for hits like ‘Nathuniya’ and ‘Thik Hai,’ shared with TNI, “I am elated. I hope to contribute to my team, even though my skills aren’t polished due to limited practice time. Nonetheless, I aspire to play and entertain everyone.”
Speaking on behalf of BharatRizin, the directors highlighted their commitment to revolutionising sports entertainment in India. Kanishk Sheel said, “Sports entertainment is at its very nascent stage in India and we have seen what one IPL can achieve. We believe today we have taken a small step towards changing the game when it comes to sports entertainment in India. We are excited to begin this new journey.”
Bhojpuri actress Shubhi Sharma, underlining the positive transformations in the Bhojpuri film industry, remarked, “Our industry has undergone notable positive changes, especially with the surge in popularity on social media and the establishment of dedicated Bhojpuri language channels. Opportunities have multiplied, and the quality of content has significantly improved.”
The 10th season of the CCL is set to kick off on February 23, 2024, in Sharjah, followed by matches in six different Indian cities over four weekends in February and March. With BharatRizin’s entry, the stage is set for a groundbreaking season in the world of sports entertainment.