After pumping millions into music videos, road shows and media campaigns, the Indian Premier League franchises are now employing American cheerleaders to add to the glitz of the Twenty20 extravaganza.Pompom-wielding cheerleaders from the United States will be seen supporting Bangalore Royal Challengers when boundaries are scored and wickets tumble in their IPL encounters.The Vijay Mallya-owned team recently roped in “Washington Redskins Cheerleaders” to be its official cheerleaders for the first four matches of the tournament.

“Involvement of cheerleaders is certainly not to cheer the players, but the audience. It will create an environment of zeal and the fusion music will give impetus to the scene. Twenty20 is a fast game and it represents just that,” Chetan Chauhan, former Indian cricketer, said.”It is a new concept in India, although teams from South Africa and Australia have had cricket cheerleaders,” he added.

According to the Redskins’ website, 12 of their cheerleaders and two choreographers will spend 18 days touring the country and performing at major events, including the first four games of the Bangalore IPL team.”Cheerleading is a unique American concept and the fact that it now is a bridge into India and cricket, speaks to the world vision of the Washington Redskins,” says an American official involved with the event.

What would be on show is a fusion of Indian and American styles of dance.Some Indian dance experts too provided tips to visiting cheerleaders to add some Bollywood dance style in their performance.”This fusion of dance backgrounds has created a new amazing style. I am really looking forward to the reaction of India towards the Redskins Cheerleaders,” Donald Wells, Redskins’ cheerleading director, said.”I’ve known what we are doing is cutting edge and it’s great to see that we are going to start this squad off on the right foot.”

Source :Indiatimes.com