Dravid feels IPL is a great chance to shape cricket

19 April 2008

Former India captain Rahul Dravid sees the DLF Indian Premier League as a golden opportunity to raise the profile of cricket in India. He also said that the format of the game will help make it more popular in the country.

Dravid, Icon player and skipper of the Vijay Mallya-owned Bangalore Royal Challengers, told reporters "It will bring along new people to the stadium".

He also expected crowds to support the longer formats of the game (one-day international and Test cricket).

About the Twenty20 format, he said, "It's exciting, something new. Having the opportunity to be part of something like this since inception, I am not dismissive about it. I have embraced it," Dravid said.

The captain of the “Men in Red” (as red is the team colour of the Royal Challenegers) also encouraged local fans to come and support his team as they square off against the Kolkata Knight Riders today in the inaugural game of the IPL.