“I have said yes to ICL. I was always interested in floating a football or a cricket side. Now, I have an opportunity,” said Mithun, who inked an agreement with ICL on Tuesday night.

Cricketing circles feel the rebel league bosses opted for Mithun — who rose from the ranks in Kolkata to make it big in Bollywood and still holds a huge fan following here— to counter the massive mileage the IPL received in the city and across the country after Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment won the franchisee rights for the Kolkata team.

Mithun’s presence could also help in boosting the brand image of the Craig Mcmillan-led team, which has attracted little attention from the media or sports lovers ever since it came into being last year. Mithun admitted his “gharer chele” (son of the soil) image in Kolkata will win him some additional votes from cricket buffs across the city and West Bengal. But beyond that, he did not wish to go into any comparison with Khan.

“They (Khan and IPL) have their own way of seeing things. I have mine. So, there can be no comparison. But I can tell you one thing. I shall not flee the ground without a fight,” the actor said.

To encash on his popularity across the state, the seasoned tinsel town hero was in favour of changing the name of the side to Royal Bengal Tigers. “People all over Bengal love me, be it Malda in North Bengal or Bolpur in South Bengal’s Birbhum.

“My fans stay up the whole night to have a glimpse of me. Why should I confine my team only to Kolkata and deny the rest of the state?” he asked.

Mithun said he will try to recruit new players and support staff for the side. “Just wait and see,” he quipped.

He added that he will also lay stress on unearthing talents from grassroot regions of Bengal. As journalists continued to bombard him with questions associated with Khan, he replied, “SRK is a fine actor. And I know he is a fine gentleman as well.”