Rohit Sharma to Co-Own Pro Wrestling League Team Uttar Pradesh Warriors
Rohit Sharma, Indian cricketer, joined the likes of Bollywood superstar Dharmendra in owning a team in the Pro Wrestling League. He is now in the company of sportstars like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who has business ventures in professional leagues
Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma was on Wednesday named the co-owner of Pro Wrestling League team - Uttar Pradesh Warriors. (Team Names for Pro-Wrestling League Announced)
After Bollywood superstar Dharmendra, the India ODI opener is the second big name to co-own a team in the much-hyped league. The six-city based tournament will commence at New Delhi's K.D. Jadhav Stadium on December 10. The semi-finals will be held on December 25 and 26, with the final on December 27. (Pro Wrestling League Will be Commercially Viable in Few Years: Bengaluru Franchise CEO)
Speaking about the association, Rohit said: "India has had a long and proud history with wrestling. I am proud to come on board as one of the co-owners of the UP Warriors team at the Pro Wrestling League. Our team has the best line-up of wrestlers including India's most celebrated wrestler Sushil Kumar. We look forward to making it to the top of the league for the first season of the PWL." (Pro Wrestling League to Start, End in New Delhi)
Commenting on this move, Vishal Gurnani, Director ProSportify, organisers of the league, said, "Rohit Sharma is one of the most appreciated cricketers in India today. We excitedly welcome him on board as one of the co-owners for the team UP Warriors . We look forward for a fruitful & long lasting association with Rohit." (Sushil Kumar Given Cash Award by Pro Wrestling League Uttar Pradesh Franchise)
Rohit Sharma, in owning a team in the Pro Wrestling League, has followed the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli who has ventured into franchise-based leagues. All three co-own teams in football's Indian Super League.ÂÂ
Rohit Sharma has been going through a lean patch of late. In the recently concluded Test series against South Africa, which India won 3-0, Rohit's highest score was 23. He played in two Tests in the four match series and his total scores was 26. (India vs South Africa: Has Rohit Sharma Played His Last Test?)
Questions marks have been raised over his place in the Indian team after his repeated failure in Tests, despite getting a long rope. ('Ajinkya Rahane Gained Due to Patience While Rohit Sharma Failed')
"After failing in Delhi Test, Rohit's position in team will be in line. But who will replace him? I feel Rohit should start playing in Ranji Trophy to get back to form in the longer format," Gavaskar told NDTV.
However, Rohit Sharma is a force to reckon with in the limited overs format. In the ODI series against South Africa, he scored a brilliant 150 in Kanpur, while in the T20I series he became only the second Indian after Suresh Raina to score a century in the format.
The Mumbai player has 4567 runs in 143 ODIs and 867 runs in 44 T20Is. He also has two double centuries on the ODI format. In Tests, he has scored 896 runs in 16 matches.