Big Revelation! SRK's First Choice For IPL Team Wasn't KKR, But 5-Time Champions

Shah Rukh Khan with the KKR Team [Source: @iamsrk/X.Com]

The founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Lalit Modi rolled back the years and made a big revelation ahead of the auction day. He stated that Shah Rukh was the one who made the league popular and revealed an interesting story.

According to Lalit Modi, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) wasn't his preferred team to buy in the IPL, but he was more interested in getting his hands on the Mumbai Indians.

Shah Rukh Khan, alongside Juhi Chawla bought KKR for Rs 570 crore, but his heart was always interested in buying the Mumbai based franchise.

In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Lalit Modi revealed the influence SRK had on the IPL and credited him for making cricket accessible to women and children across the world.

"Bollywood and cricket sell in this country. I have always been a part of the glamor. Shah Rukh Khan went to school with me; we are school friends. When I approached him for cricket, I didn’t know much about it myself, but I told him, ‘I just want you to be a part of it.’ He was the number one pillar for the IPL," Lalit Modi said.

SRK had interest in buying Mumbai

Lalit Modi stated that SRK had his heart set at Mumbai Indians, but with Mukesh Ambani in the race, the star actor decided to opt out and he went onto purchase KKR. The decision turned out to be a masterstroke for the actor as KKR achieved massive success and became the IPL champions thrice.

"His first choice was Mumbai, but Mukesh Ambani took that. Kolkata was his eventual pick. But Shah Rukh’s real contribution was in making cricket entertaining. He brought women and children into the stadiums, which was critical for IPL’s success," Modi stated.

KKR recently won the IPL title in the 2024 season and have now geared up for the mega auction, which will take place on November 24, 25.

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