Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to defend their IPL 2025 title, but their journey in the tournament hasn't always been smooth. In the early seasons of the IPL, KKR struggled, especially in 2009, when they finished at the bottom of the points table. This season also saw a major clash between Bollywood superstar and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan and cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar over the team’s leadership strategy.
During IPL 2009, KKR's head coach John Buchanan introduced a controversial "multiple captain" strategy, which Sunil Gavaskar openly criticized.
Gavaskar called Buchanan a failed cricketer who was trying to implement theories he couldn’t execute himself.
He also accused Buchanan of favoring his Australian colleagues, saying:
"The owner has no idea that he is being exploited."
Shah Rukh Khan did not take kindly to Gavaskar’s remarks and defended Buchanan.
SRK argued that modern-day cricket was different from Gavaskar’s era.
He sarcastically suggested that if Gavaskar had a problem, he should buy his own team and run it the way he wanted.
"I respect Mr. Gavaskar. His knowledge of cricket is a billion times better than mine. But this is an era he has not participated in. I have spent money and have a lot of passion. If you have a problem, buy your own team and run it your way."
After some time, Shah Rukh Khan realized the impact of his words and decided to make amends.
While in America, he sent an apology to Sunil Gavaskar.
He clarified that his comments were not meant to disrespect the cricket legend but were only a request for time to try something new.
"I did not mean to offend Gavaskar. I just wanted time to experiment. If he felt so, I have sent him an apology."
Despite the controversy, KKR eventually overcame their struggles and became one of the most successful IPL teams, winning the title three times (2012, 2014, 2024).
This incident remains one of the biggest off-field clashes in IPL history, highlighting the tensions between traditional cricketing minds and modern franchise strategies.
