MUMBAI: Cricketer Virat Kohli has picked up a stake in the JSW Group-owned Pro Wrestling League franchise Bengaluru Yodhas.
As co-owner of the team, Kohli who led the Indian team to a 3-0 Test series victory over South Africa recently, is all set to take it #FromBatToMat with this association with the Bengaluru franchise.
The Pro Wrestling League, whose inaugural edition kicked off today (10 December) in New Delhi's KD Jadhav stadium, pits six city-based franchises against one another in one of the richest freestyle wrestling tournaments in the world. Kohli's Bengaluru Yodhas will face Rohit Sharma's UP Warriors in their opening fixture on, where the world will see the two cricketers as owners and in different dug outs.
Kohli said that when he was asked to consider the idea of co-owning the Bengaluru Yodhas , he was delighted to step into the mat and jump at the opportunity. “I was thrilled on hearing about the Pro Wrestling League and JSW Bengaluru Yodhas. I am no stranger to the city of Bangalore and it is wonderful that I can extend my association by way of the Yodhas,” he said.
The Pro Wrestling League believes Kohli will give the sport the kind of fillip it requires. With words of encouragement for his new team, the Test Captain was quick to show his faith in the team, said, “I am confident that the Yodhas will be a vital cog in the scheme of things. I am excited and cannot wait to follow all the action on the mat.”
JSW Sports director Parth Jindal said that Kohli's association with Bengaluru Yodhas was exactly the kind of impetus that the sport needed. “Virat is currently one of the biggest names in Indian sport and one of Bengaluru's favourite athletes. We are delighted to welcome him on-board as a co-owner of the Yodhas. Virat's intensity and passion for sport has always been his hallmark and I am sure the same determination will be transferred to the Yodhas as we look forward to a successful first season in the Pro Wrestling League,” he said.
The Bengaluru Yodhas are captained by 74 kg wrestler Narsingh Yadav, India's sole medallist at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship. Giving Narsingh company are Sandeep Tomar, Bajrang Punia, Ukraine's Pavlo Oliiynik and Georgia's Davit Modzmanashvili in the men's section. Five-time World Championship medallist Yuliya Ratkevich of Azerbaijan is the Yodhas' star in the women's draw. She is joined by USA's Alyssa Lampe, India's Lalita Sehrawat and Navjot Kaur.
