Will Virat Kohli be team Goa's brand ambassador in ISL?

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: After a poor Test series with the bat against England, the Goa franchise of Indian Super League (ISL) looks coy in roping in Virat Kohli as the team`s face. If the form has taken a hit for the Indian batting sensation, his association with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma too has made negative publicity, keeping the deal with team Goa in a limbo. The Bollywood starlet`s presence in England with the cricketer has received flacks from all corners.

Kohli`s poor run with the bat in the 5-match Test series in which India lost 1-3 to England, has put the Goa franchise officials in a position where they are not much keen to go forward with him at the moment. As part of ISL regulations, every franchise needs to have a brand ambassador, someone who can connect with the youth and help promoting the game. For Goa, Virat was the man they chose to identify as the face, but now football lovers need to wait and see whether Kohli ends up being their man.

Kohli who is a big football fan, recently went to Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge in London and was presented with their club jersey. He is one of the best brand ambassadors for any sport in the country, and will be a big figure in drawing fans to team Goa.

According to sources, there is a deal being finalised with Kohli but despite the information, the Goa franchise has continued to stay mum. The officials kept quiet regarding any advancement in the position at the ISL international players` draft in Mumbai on Thursday.

Goa has not opened negotiations with any other celebrity besides Kohli and sources confirmed the franchise, as required, will have a brand ambassador in place before the ISL opener on October 12.

The Goa franchise will be officially launched on August 26. Kohli who slammed 73 runs in India`s warm-up limited overs match against Middlesex on Friday, will look to get his bat do the talking in the ODI series against England beginning on Monday. Meanwhile, the Goa franchise will hope a change of fortune in Kohli`s form that will see the deal come through and keep the fans happy.

With Agency inputs