Kris teaches masterstrokes

Regional Newsmaker

Kris Srikkanth refuses to say goodbye to cricket. Or may be it's the other way round. Anyway why should he? Since his formal retirement from the game in 1992 or was it 1993 (Kris himself is not sure of that!), he can be best described as being more than just, 'in touch' with the game.

Recently, he released his 'Bat like a master' CD package that helps aspiring cricketers to learn the nuances of game from the living room!

The 3 CD pack covers live demonstration by Srikkanth teaching various batting strokes that are supported by video clippings of some of the memorable footages of master batsmen like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Vivian Richards. While, it might be a bit too early to comment on the eventual success of the product, trade pundits are sure of one fact - it definitely is a good product.

During the launch of the interactive CD product, Kris said, "I keep getting enquiries from parents urging me to start a cricket academy. Many parents today yearn to see their children become a Tendulkar. My new product, 'Bat like a Master' would to a great extent satiate this need."

The product initially launched in Chennai is slated for be distributed across the country in the coming months. Kris is targetting a sales of 75,000 to 100,000 copies by March 2004. He is already in talks with a team mate of the 1983 world cup series for launching a similar product for bowling. Keep guessing on who it is, though?

Earlier, he had released the video compact disc of India's success in 1983 World Cup as 'Golden Moments.'

"Cricket has to be part of whatever I do," he confesses. He makes more than a passing mention of his failure to carry on his father's electrical and leather business, which has been wound up.

Today, cricket is central to who he was and who he is. Kris' professional interests are spun around cricket and producing soaps for regional TV channels. Apart from them, he is focussed on marketing the Kris Srikkanth Sports Entertainment , a company owned by the Chennai-based Pentamedia group.

While Kris does not hold any financial stake in this company, he lent his name and helps the group market its products and services that are associated with cricket.He is also the celebrity face Pentamedia is using to promote its new sports village - Champs Sports Village - coming up on the outskirts of Chennai.

He is very upbeat about the sports village taking off successfully. "The sports village is a novel concept where the idea of providing a complete entertainment package for the whole family would be well received by the public." He is also in talks with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association in conducting inter-corporate tournaments.

He ensures that his two sons -- Aditya (19) and Anirudh (16) -- get sufficient support for their careers in cricket. They have already played for the under-22 and under-19 state teams respectively. Kris does not mince words when he talks of their plans: "God willing I hope they make it to the Indian cricket team."