Interestingly, Kolkata was not Shah Rukh Khan’s preferred destination when IPL franchises were being auctioned. Lalit Modi later revealed that the actor had initially shown interest in cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
Despite that, KKR was acquired for approximately $86 million and quickly evolved into one of the league’s most popular teams. Over the years, the franchise featured several cricketing greats, including Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum, Gautam Gambhir, Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis and Eoin Morgan.
Today, Kolkata Knight Riders remains one of the most recognizable and successful franchises in the IPL, proving that a business gamble backed by smart partnerships can create a sporting powerhouse.