Mithunda identifies with the underdogs

HYDERABAD: Cricket and film stars share an inseparable bond. It is no secret that Bollywood has played a significant role in adding to the glamour quotient of the game. At least from the 1950s, cricketers have always scored with the fair ladies of Bollywood. Actresses swooning over the star players are part of the folklore of the game. But the advent of Twenty20 cricket has brought to fore another facet of the involvement of Bollywood in cricket.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, leading ladies Preity Zinta and Juhi Chawla have purchased stakes in the IPL teams and thereby enhanced the bond between the game and the industry.
Keeping up this trend has been veteran actor Mithun Chakraborthy, who has a stake in the ICL team - Royal Bengal Tigers. Mithun was at the dug-out of the team, cheering the lads on as they rocked the Lahore Badshahs on Sunday night.
"The boys did splendidly and I am proud of them. In fact all of Bengal and all Bengalis should feel proud of them as this team belongs to Bengalis. These boys are going to create history and I am proud to be associated with them," Mithun, who is famous for his role in the blockbuster Disco Dancer, said hereon Monday.
The desi G9 said luck plays an important role in the game. "I always believe that luck has a significant role to play in the game. The team did a lot of things right but they were also lucky to get the much needed breaks when bowling," he said.
On why he got involved with the ICL team, the two-time National award winning actor said: "I have been a fighter all along my life. I have come up the rough way and hence can identify myself with the underdogs. My fighting instincts told me to be a part of the ICL and I grabbed the opportunity to be a part of this team."
Does he involve himself in the team affairs? "I have no role to play in the team. There are better people to do it and I trust them. I was with the team because the coach (Daryl Cullinan) asked me to be there. If my presence can be a motivating factor, I don't mind being in the dug out," he said.
On his favourite cricketer, Mithun, pointing towards Rohan Gavaskar, said: "His dad. He was a superb player and a great person. I am also a big fan of Kapil Dev, who is a great friend of mine."
Mithun also revealed the fact that he did play under the captaincy of Sunil Gavaskar sometime after the World Cup win. "I was in New Jersey during one of my shooting assignments when I received a call saying they needed two players for a cricket match. I played that match under Gavaskar's captaincy and did open the bowling. It is another matter that the first ball was spanked to the boundary," he said.
Rohan said it was a great privilege to have Mithun with the team. "All of Bengal knows Mithunda. He is not only a great actor but also a fantastic person. He has always helped the downtrodden and involved himself in a lot of charity," he said.
"It is fantastic to see Mithun with the team. He is such a legend in the film industry and we are fortunate to have him with us. I haven't seen his films but will do so in the coming weeks. I wish he stays with us right through the tournament,' said Tigers' skipper Craig McMillan.