Sachin to appear in film on Lord Ganesha

Mumbai: Ending the speculation on his entry into Bollywood, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday said he will appear in a documentary film on Lord Ganesha and not in a Bollywood feature film as widely reported earlier.

"I will not feature in a Bollywood film but like others will share my views on Lord Ganesha in a documentary. There were misunderstandings about my role in the film, but now they are cleared," Tendulkar said.

Media reports had claimed that Tendulkar would feature in a Bollywood film based on Lord Ganesha titled "Vighnaharta Shri Siddhivinayak".

"One really feels peaceful while visiting a temple and I would share my views on Siddhivinayak," said the champion batsman, who is an ardent devotee of the elephant god and visits the famous Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi whenever he gets an opportunity.

"It was not necessary that one visits or remembers 'Ganapati Bappa' only during the 10-day Ganesh festival as the Lord resides in every heart.

"When we are on field we also pray, but the atmosphere during the festival is different," he added.

Tendulkar to play in Irani Trophy tie against Delhi

Mumbai: Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar will play in the five-day Irani Trophy match against Ranji Trophy champions Delhi at Baroda from September 24 to 28.

The master blaster, who did not play in the just concluded One-Day series in Sri Lanka due to the elbow injury during the third Test in the Emerald Isle, confirmed about his participation during a media conference here on Saturday.

"I have recovered totally and am feeling fine. I will play in the Irani Trophy match against the Ranji Trophy champions Delhi," Tendulkar said.

He returned home and was replaced in the ODI squad by S Badrinath.

The champion batsman could muster only 95 runs at a very dismal average of 15.83 per innings with 31 in the second innings of the second Test at Galle, won by India, as his highest score in the three-match Test rubber.

Before the series, the ace batsman, who appeared in his 150th Test in Colombo, was only 172 runs adrift of overtaking West Indian great Brian Lara as the highest run getter in Tests, but fell way short of that target.

Irani Trophy will be the criteria to select the Indian team for the four-match Test series against Australia starting on October nine.

Meanwhile, Aviva Life Insurance announced the finale of its marketing initiative 'Tension chodo cricket khelo' (TCCK) with a fun-filled cricket match between 15 lucky parent-kid teams and ace batsman Sachin and his son, at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Goregaon.

TCCK, a unique mass activation campaign was conceptualized by Aviva based on the insight that parents are so busy securing their children's future that they miss out on enjoying their childhood. The campaign, which commenced in July, received more than 100,000 responses from over 40 cities across India.

Speaking on the occasion Tendulkar said, "It's a great idea conceptualized by Aviva and something every parent will identify with. I am looking forward to enjoying the cricket match with my son Arjun and the other parent-child teams present here from different parts of the country."

Aviva received more than 100,000 entries which were short listed down to 15 through a process module validated by KPMG.

Bert Paterson, MD & CEO, Aviva India said, "It gives us immense pleasure to welcome Sachin Tendulkar to take part in a fun game with the 15 lucky parent-kid winner duos today. The 'Tension Chhodo Cricket Khelo' brand activation campaign with Sachin Tendulkar is the first of its kind in the insurance industry.

"It has helped prospective customers experience Aviva's brand promise, built awareness and preference for the Aviva brand and, more importantly, created interest in the need for financial planning for a child's future via child plans."