When cricket meets Bollywood, drama is guaranteed—SRK vs. Gavaskar was a showdown IPL fans never saw coming!
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have evolved into a formidable force in the IPL over recent years, but their journey started on a tumultuous note. Facing struggles like disappointing finishes and an unusual multiple-captain strategy, the franchise endured its share of drama.
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Interestingly, even Bollywood icon and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan found himself in a fiery dispute with cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. Let’s take a trip back to 2009, a year when the worlds of cricket and entertainment collided in the most surprising ways.
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KKR’s second IPL season commenced with a bewildering strategy from their then-coach, John Buchanan. His “multiple-captain” theory—proposing that leadership should be shared among various players—raised eyebrows throughout the cricketing community.
While many were doubtful, Gavaskar openly denounced the approach, labelling it unnecessary and even suggesting that Buchanan was merely securing positions for his associates in the KKR camp.
Now, here’s where things took a turn. SRK, never one to hold back, did not take Gavaskar’s criticism lightly. He fired back, suggesting that if Gavaskar had such strong opinions, he ought to buy his own team and manage it his way.
Credit: One India
The comment ignited a storm, making headlines and dividing opinions—was SRK being defensive, or was he merely standing by his team?
Realising that his words might have gone too far, SRK later extended an olive branch. He not only apologised but also stated that if Gavaskar advised him to manage the team in a particular manner, he would adhere to it without question.
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He even sent a formal apology letter! But was it genuine or merely a PR move? Well, that remains a matter of debate.
While the incident is now a footnote in KKR’s journey, it highlights the rollercoaster ride the team experienced in its early years. Today, KKR is a three-time IPL champion; however, back then, they were merely another struggling franchise, contending both on the field and in the headlines.
Credit: TOI
Who would have known that IPL 2009 wasn’t just about cricket but also about Bollywood-style drama?
