Salman wants to be in a cricket team

Salman Khan, brand ambassador and supporter of Sohail Khan's celebrity cricket team Mumbai Heroes, that finished last in the inaugural Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), now wants to play on the field. The Dabangg star says, "I have been pleading with Sohail to take me. I assure entertainment on the field and off it. But it's up to him."

The actor's self-depreciatory humour doesn't end here. He adds that his brother's team didn't win last time because the other teams have been playing matches for a long time. However, he agreed that when his brother's team played, they thought it was a friendly match and they weren't serious. Adding to this, he says, "When we went there, we understood they (south teams) meant business."

Sohail adds, "We played, learnt and will try to do better next time. We didn't win, so we aren't over confident. It gives us a chance to play better."

Ask him if the reason was less time available for practice and he says, "South actors churn out more films than us, so they are equally busy and yet they take time out. They are more in touch with the game. We need to do the same."

But does having Salman on his side give him added advantage? Sohail laughs, "I wish it was according to box-office, but this (cricket match) is a different ball game altogether."

Vishnu Vardhan Induri, founder of CCL, adds that many people thought that bringing 60 artistes from all over the country was a dream, but it became possible only because of the passion that the film stars have for cricket.

He adds, "Like any reality television show, CCL will take place regularly."

Next year, the CCL's new season will feature two additional teams, Bengal Tigers and Superstars Kerala. The matches will be played in Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Hyderabad from January 27 to February 19, 2012.