Sachin unveils 'TVS Cup' for India-West Indies ODIs

TVS Motor Company today made its foray into the cricketing arena with batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar unveiling the "TVS Cup" for the one-day international series between India and West Indies starting from November six.

"I am unveiling something like this for the first time. I hope that India will get to keep this trophy after the end of the series," Tendulkar, who is also the brand ambassador for TVS, told reporters in Mumbai.

The Hosur-based TVS will be the main sponsor of the ODI series and apart from the trophy, it will also hand over a cheque of Rs 50,000 to the "Victor (man) of series" and Rs 35,000 to "Victor (man) of the match", Executive Vice President P C Mathew said adding this was the company's first ever sponsorship of cricket at such a large scale.

Referring to the recent ICC controversy on sponsorships, Tendulkar, who completed 20,000 runs in international cricket during the second Test against West Indies in Chennai, thanked his sponsors for "supporting him during the hitch and letting him concentrate only on the cricket with an open mind".

Supporting the role of corporates in sponsoring games, Tendulkar said "each and every game requires sponsors for its development".

During the ICC Champions Trophy tournament, TVS had decided to withdraw its commercials featuring Tendulkar from television.

As part of its sponsorship menu, the company has also lined up contests like "pitch on wheels" and a lucky draw at all the seven venues wherein four two wheelers will be awarded to the lucky spectators.

Mail Cricket Editor