Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is all set for a comeback! Surprised? Don't be.
The Prince of Kolkata, famous for his on-field aggression and off-field controversies, is returning this time to cheer the Indian team. He has not lost hopes of wearing the country's colours again.
"I am Sourav Ganguly. I hope you have not forgotten me," Ganguly will be seen reminding you in a new advertising campaign of Pepsi, set to hit the television screens soon.
Ganguly, who was unceremoniously dropped from the team and has been struggling to make a comeback, expresses dismay at not being part of the team.
"Whatever happened, why it happened, I don't know... I am practising to come back into the team," says India's most successful Test skipper so far.
And then, as if striking a chord with his fans and reminding them of his much-debated joyous reaction at the Lords where he swirled his shirt in the air, a poignant Ganguly says: "Who knows I (might) get another chance to swirl my shirt in the air".
In the end, he reminds everyone of his notorious aggression on field, "In the field or out of it, I won't sit quiet. I will cheer the team and so should you."
This campaign is one of the series of advertisements Pepsi will roll out in the run up to the Champions Trophy and then to the World Cup next year.
Questioned on the brand power of Ganguly, PepsiCo India Executive Vice President - Marketing Vipul Prakash said he was still a big force in the Indian cricket team, albeit as a fan. "We hope he comes back in the team," he adds.
Pepsi has a contract with Ganguly till 2007.
Pepsi, through its new 'Blue Billion' campaign, is trying to cash in on the sentiments of a cricket fan, with all its advertisements putting the fan in the limelight and are virtually without a star.
The advertisements featuring stars would show them as cricket fans rather than using their star power to sell the soft drink.
The company has released a music video based on the 'Blue Billion' slogan, which features actors Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra.
Pepsi will take select cricket fans to see India's league matches in the upcoming Champion's Trophy through a special train, 'Blue Billion Express' and the company's select brand ambassadors would accompany the fans on the train, Prakash said.
The company has also launched an interactive web portal www.bluebillion.co.in, connecting Indian cricket fans acrossthe world to share their views on the game.
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