While it is common to have players of Indian origin playing cricket for lowly ranked sides in the World Cup, Netherlands — a minnow team which does not have any Indian-origin player in it — will rather have a strong Indian presence, though of a different kind.
The struggling European side has received a shot in the arm after finding a sponsor in Amul, the dairy products giant.
The Boys in Orange will be seen displaying logos of Amul butter prominently on their main sleeve (playing arm) in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 starting February 19.
“We wanted to be involved with cricket’s mega show as it is a hugely popular event in this part of the world and (we) found out a way by sponsoring the Netherlands team,” revealed RS Sodhi, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which markets Amul brand products.
Not willing to comment on the details of the deal which is considered as the biggest ever in the history of Netherlands cricket, Sodhi said that Amul is planning to make a foray into cricket in the near future.
“Yes, we would like to be involved in other tournaments as well and will be assessing our options after the World Cup,” he added.
“Finances are tight at the moment and with ICC scrutinising all countries in World Cup Cricket, it is vital that we diverse our revenue streams and this deal does just that,” Richard Cox, KNCB (Royal Netherlands Cricket Board) chief executive, said on the official website.
When asked about their association with the Netherlands team, Sodhi said: “So far the tenure of the sponsorship is till the duration of the World Cup. We will decide to extend the contract later.”
Placed in group B, this will be Netherlands’ fourth World Cup appearance after playing in the 1996, 2003 and the 2007 editions.
In all, they have played 14 games with 12 losses and two wins. The Dutch had shocked the cricket world in 2009 with their last ball victory in the first game of the ICC T20 Championship in England at the historic Lord’s.
On July 20, 2010, the Netherlands beat a full-member nation for the first time in an ODI. In a one-off match shortened by rain to 30 overs a side, they beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets.
The struggling European side has received a shot in the arm after finding a sponsor in Amul, the dairy products giant.
The Boys in Orange will be seen displaying logos of Amul butter prominently on their main sleeve (playing arm) in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 starting February 19.
“We wanted to be involved with cricket’s mega show as it is a hugely popular event in this part of the world and (we) found out a way by sponsoring the Netherlands team,” revealed RS Sodhi, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which markets Amul brand products.
Not willing to comment on the details of the deal which is considered as the biggest ever in the history of Netherlands cricket, Sodhi said that Amul is planning to make a foray into cricket in the near future.
“Yes, we would like to be involved in other tournaments as well and will be assessing our options after the World Cup,” he added.
“Finances are tight at the moment and with ICC scrutinising all countries in World Cup Cricket, it is vital that we diverse our revenue streams and this deal does just that,” Richard Cox, KNCB (Royal Netherlands Cricket Board) chief executive, said on the official website.
When asked about their association with the Netherlands team, Sodhi said: “So far the tenure of the sponsorship is till the duration of the World Cup. We will decide to extend the contract later.”
Placed in group B, this will be Netherlands’ fourth World Cup appearance after playing in the 1996, 2003 and the 2007 editions.
In all, they have played 14 games with 12 losses and two wins. The Dutch had shocked the cricket world in 2009 with their last ball victory in the first game of the ICC T20 Championship in England at the historic Lord’s.
On July 20, 2010, the Netherlands beat a full-member nation for the first time in an ODI. In a one-off match shortened by rain to 30 overs a side, they beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets.
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