‘KKR was his eventual pick’ – Lalit Modi reveals IPL franchise Shah Rukh Khan wanted before KKR

Lalit Modi and Raj Shamani.
(Photo Source – Instagram/Lalitkmodi)

The first chairman and league commissioner of the IPL (Indian Premier League), Lalit Modi, recently came forward and revealed the team that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan wanted to own in the IPL before he finally opted with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Modi said that SRK wanted to own Mumbai Indians before KKR, adding that he had to go for the Kolkata-based team as Mumbai Indians was acquired by Reliance Industries Ltd. Modi also talked about how Shah Rukh Khan owning a team in the IPL helped the tournament and also narrated the tale of convincing the Bollywood superstar to join the cricket arena by owning an IPL team. Modi further revealed the idea behind creating, reckoning that Bollywood and cricket are the two things that Indians have always been crazy about. 

“His (Shah Rukh’s) 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,” Lalit Modi said on Raj Shamani’s podcast. 

“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 added. 

It is interesting to note that Mumbai Indians were the most expensive team back in 2008, costing Reliance a total of $111.9 million. In contrast, Shah Rukh’s Red Chillies Entertainment and Mehta Group managed to win the bid for Kolkata Knight Riders for $75.09 million.

Both MI and KKR have been some of the most successful franchises in IPL history. While Mumbai Indians have won the joint-highest number of IPL titles (5), KKR have managed to achieve the feat three times (2012, 2014, and 2024). With the conclusion of the IPL 2025 mega auction recently, both sides have built strong squads ahead of the new season of the marquee tournament.