brings to bat Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag

State Farm is excited to announce that one of India's greatest batsmen, Virender Sehwag, is one of the faces of its new campaign, "Here to help life go right." This relationship marks the first of its kind between an Indian cricket player and a major U.S. brand.

A 2011 Cricket World Cup winner, Sehwag, affectionately known as 'Viru', is the only batsman in history to have scored 7,500-plus runs in both Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) as an opener, and is the only Indian to have twice been honored as the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World.

"We are thrilled to be working with Virender Sehwag. He had an outstanding career, is adored by fans around the world, and will certainly broaden our exposure in the South Asian community," said Patty Morris, director of Advertising at State Farm. State Farm also sponsored the Cricket All-Stars exhibition series in November 2015.

Sehwag will be featured in a variety of ads, including one 30-second commercial, two online videos, digital and mobile ads, and in-theater promotions in New York and California. The commercial, simply entitled "Cricket", begins by showing a family driving home excited about Viru's presence in their neighborhood. The next scene shows in stark contrast "the most dangerous batsman in the world" doing what he does best, unknowingly wreaking havoc on the family's car and home. In the end, the family and Viru come together at the office of their State Farm agent (played by a real agent). The comedic ad uses the same dialogue in both scenes to illustrate that State Farm can help prepare you for both the good and the bad.

On coming to bat for State Farm, Virender Sehwag said, "I'm delighted to be joining a brand that has such a rich heritage in sport as well as protecting people. When it comes to insurance, State Farm is a true all-rounder."

The overall message of the campaign is to show that State Farm is always there when things go wrong. But they're also here to help things go right in life - from buying a home, to funding a college education, building your retirement, or strengthening your community.