MUMBAI: The Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), an initiative combining cinema and cricket, has kicked off in Sharjah, with its first leg between Mumbai Heroes led by Sunil Shetty and Telugu Warriors led by Telugu matinee idol Venkatesh.

The multi-starrer action entertainer is being aired live on Sahara One and Filmy respectively.

This is for the first time that film fraternities from West Bengal, Bollywood and Southern film industry (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam) have come together to play in the T20 format.

Other teams that are participating in the league are Chennai Rhinos, Karnataka Bull Dozers, Kerala Strikers and Bengal Tigers.

Mumbai Heroes will be led by Suniel Shetty as its captain and Ritiesh Deshmukh as vice-captain. While Salman Khan will be the iconic player for the team, Bollywood damsels Sonakshi Sinha, Kangana Ranaut and Genelia D?souza are the team?s brand ambassadors.

The two new entrants to the League this season are Kerala Strikers and Bengal Tigers. Team Bengal Tigers will be captained by actor Jeet and actor Jisshu will play his deputy. Ria Sen and Raima Sen are the team?s brand ambassadors.

The other new entrant Kerala Strikers has Mohanlal as its skipper and actor Indrajith as his deputy. Brand ambassadors for the team are South actresses Laxmi Rai and Bhavna.