Chennai: Cricket legend Kapil Dev is eager to wear a skipper's outfit in Kinetic Engineering than just being a brand ambassador for the company's model, the Boss.

''My company, Dev & Dev, is currently working on something with Kinetic so that I can contribute more to the company. I would like to have a serious partnership with this company,'' admits Dev.

Does that mean taking some stakes in the company, a board membership or a vehicle dealership? Some years back another cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar, was offered a directorship in a Mumbai-based company.

''No it is not dealership. It could be even taking some equity stakes in the company. Nothing has been finalised yet. We are still negotiating,'' says Dev. ''People like us have been redesignated as brand ambassadors. Earlier we were termed as models, and I don't know what term will crop up few years down the line.''

Says Kinetic Engineering vice-president Vismaya Firodia: ''No decision has been taken towards offering Dev some stakes in the company. We would welcome him if he wants to invest in the company. From the beginning he has expressed his desire to be an active member of our company than just pose for photographs along with our bikes.''

Kinetic Engineering and Dev signed a two-year contract (this can be extended by another year) to promote the Boss, the company's four-stroke bike. The deal is said to be worth between Rs 2 crore and Rs 4 crore for Dev & Dev. After the deal, Dev visited the company plant and met several company officials. He also visited several Kinetic dealers.

Apart from starring in the commercial, Dev is participating in Kinetic Engineering's nationwide promotion. This involves potential customers taking a test ride on the Boss, then participating in a lucky draw that could win a home visit by the cricketer. The contest is promoted at all Kinetic Engineering showrooms with the slogan 'Boss Chalao, Kapil Ko Bulao.'

Kinetic Engineering plans to sell 75,000 units of the model in its first year of launch. The Boss is the company's third bike offering after the Challenger and the GF-125.

About cricket, his passion, Dev says: ''Cricket may be bringing in huge revenues here but this is not getting pumped into improving infrastructure, encouraging new players or developing the game. Money remaining in the precincts of a bank is of little use.''