Shah Rukh Khan’s first IPL choice wasn't Kolkata Knight Riders

Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan originally wanted to own the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) before settling for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), IPL founder Lalit Modi recently revealed.

Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast Figuring Out, Modi discussed his initial efforts to bring high-profile celebrities into the league as investors, aiming to boost the tournament's popularity.

In the podcast, Modi recalled his pitch to Shah Rukh Khan, who initially expressed uncertainty due to his lack of cricket knowledge.

“Shah Rukh told me, ‘Lalit bhai, I don’t know anything about cricket,’” Modi shared, adding that Khan was holding a football at the time, playing with his son Aryan. However, after Modi assured Khan that IPL would be "bigger than his films," Khan expressed interest in investing.

According to Modi, Shah Rukh first considered bidding for Mumbai Indians, but the process ultimately led him to invest in KKR. Khan’s entry, with Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta as co-owners, proved instrumental in drawing family audiences, especially women and children, to IPL viewership. Modi credited the Bollywood star as a “pillar” of the league’s initial success.

Khan's involvement in IPL has since become iconic, with KKR evolving into one of the most recognised franchises. Modi’s revelations offer a glimpse into IPL’s early days and the celebrity dynamics that shaped the league.