IPL 2009 News & Updates | IPL 2009 Videos Highlights, match dates and timings

IPL's Bangalore team franchisee owner Vijay Mallya has said he was confident that his "ageing" team were all set for victory in the inaugural season of the Twenty20 league.

Mallya, speaking to reporters after announcing the 'Kingfisher Fair Play Award', said chief cricket manager Martin Crowe and captain Rahul Dravid had told him that they were "upbeat and the team looks good".

Coach Venkatesh Prasad was also confident of a good show.

"I did not bother about media's comments about my team. We have a formidable batting line-up and I am confident of our bowlers. We will rise to the occasion in the entire tournament," he said.

Mallya said his side had recruited more Indian players as the "local players can attract the crowd better".

"We did not hire foreign players only to attract crowd. Dravid, Kumble, Praveenkumar, (Virat) Kohli and Zaheer can be good crowd pullers," he said.

Mallya, who has flown in cheerleaders from the US for his team, was of the opinion that entertainment during the match will only enhance the game and will not affect it adversely.

"I saw such programmes in Sydney Olympics and some baseball and soccer games in the United States that provided glamour and enthusiasm to the tournaments," he said.