Shveta’s new show

Investors in Cricket (IIC) announced its glittering star cast at a launch event held at the C.K. Nayudu Hall, CCI. Mr. Manoj Badale, Chairman, IIC, officially launched Cricket Star', an interactive multimedia talent hunt for the best young cricketer in the world. Cricket Gurus Kapil Dev and Saurav Ganguly will be the Judges while Ajay Jadeja will be the Expert and Analyst in the thrilling reality TV show based on this talent hunt, which will be hosted by TV personality Shweta Salve.

Young cricket fanatics aspiring to become the next cricket phenomenon, now have an opportunity to apply for Cricket Star by calling 5052727 from GSM Mobiles, 127777 from MTNL Mumbai land-lines, or 1255527 from MTNL and BSNL land-lines across the rest of India. The application process is also open through SMS, by sending 'CSTAR' to 7575.

The winner of the first series, Cricket Star India, will win a year's all-expenses-paid contract with Leicestershire County Cricket Club and attractive cash prizes and will also achieve international celebrity status. The final 11 contestants will also have the opportunity to participate in the global rollout of Cricket Star, which is slated for a UK launch in summer 2007 and a subsequent launch in Pakistan, where there is significant interest in the format.

Cricket Star, India's pioneering cricket talent hunt, will be presented to TV audiences in a reality show format, simulcast on DD National and the Zee Network. The programme goes on air in mid January and will run for eleven weeks, with three weekly simulcast episodes on DD National and Zee Sports, and a weekly episode on Zee TV.

Additionally, Cricket Star will introduce to Indian audiences the emerging 20:20 format which is currently sweeping the cricketing world. Cricket Star aspirants will play a series of 20:20 cricket matches as part of the programme, which will be telecast on Zee Sports.

Speaking to the Press, Kapil and Ajay reaffirmed their commitment to Cricket Star, which seeks to tap into undiscovered pools of talent in the country. Saurav, speaking to the Press via tele-conference, said 'this is my way of giving back to the game that has given me so much'.

Manoj Badale, Chairman, Investors in Cricket, UK said, "Cricket Star is a ground-breaking TV format that will showcase the best of India's unsung cricketing talent. This exciting project supports our aim of unearthing and developing talent to produce the future stars of the game. The show also provides large scale opportunities to associate with a Sports property that will be India's next TV phenomenon."

Cricket Star is presented by high profile corporate sponsors including Airtel and HLL's Fair & Lovely Menz Active, both of whom were present at the launch.

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