India's World Cup Indoor team in the spotlight

Their more illustrious counterparts may be basking in the glory and rightly so as well, but this was a rare chance for the Indian World Cup Indoor team to be in the spotlight.

The Indian World Cup Indoor Team, led by Girish Kyatanahalli Gopal and coached by Taher Ali Khan, were commemorated at a ceremony at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, where the The Blue Anthem and the Team India jersey were also revealed.

The 10th edition of the Indoor Cricket World Cup began at the Insportz Club in Dubai on Saturday.

Former India cricketer Sandeep Patil, who is the brand ambassador of the team, said that the team deserved it and felt that they need all the support they can get.

 "Aaj ki sham, Team India ke naam (This evening is for Team India)," said Patil.

"It is a World Cup and it is nice to be back here in the UAE. When I toured here it was in 1981, and I have some great memories. Now, I'm here to cheer my Team India and honoured to be part of this event and honoured to be the ambassador for the team," he added.

And Patil reckoned that the Indian Indoor team has the chance to cause an upset.

"We did it in 1983. Like I always say, it is not a good feeling to beat the bottom team, it is a good feeling to beat the best. Australia have dominated this tournament for nine years and the time has come for a change," Patil said, referring to Australia's ruthless dominance in the format. The Australians have won all previous nine editions of the Indoor World Cup.

Anis Sajan, the managing director of Danube and the mentor of the Indian World Cup Indoor Team, said that he will look to motivate the lads.

"My journey in indoor cricket started 20 years ago. That has become my second home as I've bossed the Insportz arena with my team dominating the format. The vision and goal to reach the top and maintain it, has been a big part to our success," said Anis Sajan, who was also celebrating his birthday.

"I'm glad the federation deemed me fit to be the mentor of the India team. My job will be backstage and to give motivation to the boys. When you are a mentor, you support the team and uplift the team. My job will be to motivate, motivate and motivate," he added.

Anis Sajan also hoped that the sport will continue to grow and dreamt of an indoor premier league in the future. "The BCCI support is important and like the IPL, we can have an indoor premier league," Anis Sajan said.

Abdul Latif Khan, who owns the UAE-based Petromann Events, which is managing, operating and marketing the Indian team, said: "As Anis bhai said, his passion for indoor, we also got inspired and got into indoor cricket. And we are here to support the Indian team."

Greg Donnelly, World Indoor Cricket Federation President, said: "It shows that there is a significant passion for the game and India have that passion."

Source: Khaleej Times