The Delhi Daredevils, the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team, has signed Big Adda as its official online partner for the 2009 season of Twenty20 matches. The Indian social networking site has followed the likes of Coca-Cola, Adidas and Puma into sponsorship of the lucrative cricket league.

As part of the deal, Big Adda will create special ‘addas’ (groups) for the team to help fans connect to the Delhi Daredevils.

A Big Adda spokesperson said: "Through the course of the IPL, Big Adda will also feature exclusive images and videos of the Delhi Daredevils. Fans will have access to behind-the-scene footage, practice sessions and images of the team."

The IPL is a new concept unveiled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India along the lines of soccer's English Premier League and the National Basketball League of the US, in which eight teams compete over 44-days and then narrowed to four who play each other in the semi-finals. The winners compete in the final for the IPL trophy.

Amirt Mathur, chief operating officer of the Delhi Daredevils, said of the variety of sponsors: "All our partners are leading brands in India and the world and their association with Delhi Daredevils goes beyond being just co-sponsors. The Delhi Daredevils team being one of the top Twenty-20 teams in India has terrific brand value. We are confident that with the support of these leading companies, we can further enhance this value and take Delhi Daredevils to greater heights."

The GMR Holding owned Delhi Daredevils boast an array of world stars including the explosive Indian batsman Virender Sehwag, the legendary Australian fast-bowler Glen McGrath and former England one-day captain Paul Collingwood.