'Maharaj' balls to enter the market soon

Sourav Ganguly has always been known to be a captain with balls, and now they will be available to the general public. Mullick Enterprises, a Kolkata-based sports goods manufacturer, is due to release a new brand of cricket ball called 'Maharaj', which is Ganguly's nickname.

Speaking to Rediff.com, Seema Mullick, the proprieter of the firm, said that she had got approval for this venture from Ganguly. "We hope to get West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to launch the new brand in the presence of Sourav Ganguly on November 19." Mullick said that the `Maharaj' brand would provide "tough competition" to leading brands like SG and SS.

Mullick said that her venture would make cricket balls more affordable in Bengal, where cricket was booming but equipment remained expensive. "Most cricket accessories come from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, which is why they are expensive," she said. "We will be able to provide affordably priced balls because we are local manufacturers."

SG balls that are approved for Test cricket cost Rs 600, while practice balls cost Rs 250 upwards. "We can give our Maharaj balls at a lower price," Mullick said.