The glitz and glamour of Bollywood are set to blend with the high-octane energy of cricket as powerhouse couple Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan venture into sports entrepreneurship, taking ownership of the Kolkata team in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). The ISPL, which heralds India’s first tennis ball T10 cricket tournament anticipated to be played within the confines of a stadium, is gearing up for its pulse-racing debut from March 2 to March 9 in Mumbai.
Joining an already stellar lineup of team owners from the Indian film industry, Kareena and Saif are set to further their familial cricket legacy, with the sport being a revered tradition in their household. Kareena Kapoor Khan, a venerated figure in the Bollywood panorama, took to social media to express her enthusiasm for the new venture. She posted on Instagram, gliding down memory lane and into the heart of a tradition upheld by the famed cricketing Pataudi family, of which her husband Saif is a scion.
“Cricket, a tradition we cherish, a love we share… It runs in the family after all. So thrilled to announce our ownership of Team Kolkata in the Indian Street Premiere League! It’s a fantastic opportunity for young aspiring cricketers out there and we couldn’t be happier to be part of this experience,” the actress shared. This sentiment was reflected in the buoyant response from the ISPL team, welcoming the couple with open arms into the cricketing fold.
The inaugural edition is slated to deliver a thrilling series of 19 matches featuring six formidable competitors – Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar. Each team boasts the support of leading luminaries from Bollywood. Amitabh Bachchan presides over team Mumbai, Akshay Kumar backs team Srinagar, Hrithik Roshan tunes into team Bengaluru, Ram Charan champions team Hyderabad, and Suriya spearheads team Chennai.
The participation of such prominent figures is more than just an exercise in celebrity endorsement; it reflects a deeper engagement with the sport itself. Akshay Kumar shared his excitement noting that the tournament could well be a game-changer for cricket, ushering in a new arena for young talent to compete and shine.
Amidst the pulsating beats of anticipation, the ISPL Core Committee Members, Ashish Shelar and Amol Kale, alongside League Commissioner Suraj Samat, have conveyed their views on the significance of these partnerships. Shelar stated unequivocally that securing Akshay Kumar’s involvement signifies ISPL’s dedication to excellence, ensuring that every facet of the league drips with enthusiasm and a commitment to showcasing the best of cricket.
The league sets its sights on uncovering nascent talent, giving a spotlight to the sport’s future champions who may have otherwise remained hidden in the shadow of conventional cricket platforms. In a country where cricket is often considered a religion, the ISPL stands as a promising beacon, aiming to corral nationwide interest and match it with the raw prowess displayed on the field.
Within this landscape of cricketing fervour, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan’s foray as Kolkata team owners marks an intersection of sports and entertainment. The ISPL presents a tantalizing prospect of making a profound impression on the cricketing narrative in India while continuing the storied legacy of the Pataudi family. As the league readies to unfurl its inaugural tournament, excitement runs rampant, and the cricket family expands, ready to embrace the surge of young talent set to dazzle on this fresh and vibrant stage.
