ITA hosts High-Profile CelebrityT20 Cricket Match

In an initiative to celebrate and keep the spirits soaring of the recent win at the T20 cricket world cup by the Indian cricket team, The Indian Television Academy (ITA) in association with BIG Reach hosted a day & night star-studded celebrity T20 Cricket Match in an effort to support the cause of "Beti" - a movement against female foeticide. This high-strung celebrity cricket match involved the who's who from the glamorous world of the Television industry and was held at the very popular Andheri Sports Complex. Ace Indian cricketer and member of the World Cup winning T20 Indian team member S. Sreesanth supported the noble cause and cheered the cricketers.

The match had prominent television stars, actors, anchors participating and showing solidarity for the cause. Varun Badola captained the team of TTCI (Television Cricket Club of India) and Manav Gohil captained the team of TCL (Television Cricket League).

The commentators included actor and BIG 92.7 FM RJ Vrajesh Hirjee & Archana Jani, Ravi Behl Tanaaz Currim, Manini De, Suresh Menon, Ashiesh Roy, Sumeet Raghavan and Manoj Joshi. Dressed as cheerleaders and supporting their teams were sizzling women of the television industry including Roopali Ganguly, Parakh Madan, Poonam Gulati, Purbi Joshi, Monaz, Priyanka Bassi, Gauri Nigudkar and Jasweer to name a few. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jayyant Bhokare, Vice President - Business Development, BIG Reach, said "We are excited to be partnering with The ITA for the charity T20 Cricket Match which only gets bigger and better. This charity event will offer an excellent opportunity and value for advertisers and fabulous entertainment for audiences."

Here is a gist of the Happenings from the Match: 

TCL led by Manav Gohil were all out for 87 runs. Captain Manav and Bakhtiyaar scored the most. 

Bakhytiyaar, the highest scorer of TCL, was involved in an unfortunate run out with the youngest player - Aditya Narayan. 

For TCCI, Shashi Ranjan was the pick of the bowlers, and Anand 

Suryavanshi got 3 wickets, and he was on a hat trick too at one time. 

The evening was made more entertaining with performances by Mika, Shaan and Shilpa Rao. 

TCCI chased the total of 88, with good contributions from their batsmen, 

Vikas Manaktala and Anand Suryavanshi. 

The Man of the Match was Anand Suryavanshi for his allround performance. 

The Best Bowler was Varun Badola.

The Award for the Best Batsman went to Bakhtiyaar. 

Sanjay Behl, Head Brand & Marketing, Reliance Communications, said, "The new format of Twenty20 cricket has created tremendous interest not just among the cricket enthusiasts but also among newer customer segments like women and children too. Reliance Mobile is proud to have been the 'Global Partner' of the first edition of the ICC T20 World Championship in South Africa."

"Today, we are proud to be associated with the ITA Twenty20 match being played by celebrities from the field of television to support the noble cause of protecting the girl foetus. As the sponsors, we are excited about this event and would like to express that we share the same emotions & sentiments towards the worthy cause. And the current interest in the Twenty20 game will be the ideal platform to build awareness as well as sensitize societal attitude towards this serious crime," he adds.

Telly Buzz talked to the Man of the Match, Anand Suryavanshi, about this new format of the game 20-20 and this is what he had to say, "It is getting popular now, this is the future of cricket, I would say. This version of the game will attract viewership, because it is fast and thrilling." Talking about the other forms of cricket, Anand said, "The test matches, one day and 20-20, will coexist, and every format will have its own charm." 

Talking about his allround performance, which earned him the Man of the Match award, Anand said, "It was great. Most of the players, in my team, and in the other team are good friends. We have played with each other before and this was more of a fun-match. It is nice to be part of a noble cause; it feels good that you have done your part in getting the team to win the match."

Talking about Boxy Boyz and their aspirations for the future, Anand said, "This year, our team has received phenomenal recognition and many more from the fields of television, music and movies have started playing. There are many things planned for the future, which I cannot discuss now. I can say that, the Cricket season is on in full swing now."