Actor Sabyasachi. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, April 5: Cricket fans in Odisha have an extra reason to cheer now. Even as they were excited about being a home team for Deccan Chargers in this season of Indian Premier League (IPL), news trickled in that the state’s very own actor Sabyasachi had been chosen as the brand ambassador for the team.

Scotching rumours of actor Anubhav being chosen as the team’s ambassador for IPL-V, Sabyasachi today told The Telegraph at a university’s annual function that he has been officially declared as the brand icon for Deccan Chargers.

“I will be accompanying the team to all their matches starting from April 7, including the league matches in Visakhapatnam, Delhi, Mohali, Bangalore, Cuttack and Calcutta. I am really excited about the new role,” said the actor.

For Sabyasachi, an avid cricket lover, who remembers playing matches with friends when the classroom would be empty in school or college, getting so closely involved with the game’s most glamorous form was beyond his dreams.

“I was an ambassador for Baleswar Baghas during the Odisha Premier League 2011. It was such a special experience to be cheering for the team that I even rejected a couple of film offers to be able to give time to the event. But this is huge for me and, honestly, surpasses even that feeling,” said Sabyasachi.

“Not only will this give me national recognition since I will be part of all the promotions, such as street hoardings, but it also gives me a responsibility to promote the Odia film industry outside Odisha,” said the actor.

Already an ardent supporter of his team, Sabyasachi says despite being a group of freshers mostly, Deccan Chargers has the potential to go far in the tournament.

“We have played well in the past seasons and I hope for the best when it comes to the performance of the team. I’m also glad that I will be a part of the team that has Odia all-rounder Biplab Samantaray,” he said.

Sabyasachi was seen flaunting the Deccan Chargers T-shirt at the university function on Thursday.

“I would like to ask all Odia cricket fans to cheer for Deccan Chargers by repeating the theme line for the team, ‘Go Chargers’. I wish the turnout is huge at Barabati Stadium and even though I am a Shah Rukh Khan fan, since Cuttack is one of the home grounds for the team, I hope the viewers will cheer for my team in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders,” he said.