Bollywood superstar Salman Khan made an interesting comment about buying a franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Salman revealed that he was approached to purchase an IPL team when the league began in 2008, but decided not to proceed, adding that he has no regrets about turning down the offer.
Several Bollywood celebrities have invested in the IPL, with Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla co-owning Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Preity Zinta co-owning Punjab Kings (PBKS). Salman Khan is currently focusing on his next project, Battle of Galwan, inspired by the 2020 India-China Galwan Valley clash.
IPL Ke Liye Too Old Ho Gaye Hum – Salman Khan
At the Season 3 kick-off conference of the World Padel League (WPL) in Mumbai, Salman Khan was asked about his plans to buy an IPL team in the future. The 59-year-old actor replied that he feels too old now to own a team.
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Salman revealed that he was offered an IPL franchise when the league started, but chose not to take it. The celebrity added that he has no regrets about that decision.
“IPL ke liye too old ho gaye hum (I am too old to buy an IPL team now)… IPL offer hua tha us waqt, liya nahi (The IPL offer was made earlier, but I didn’t accept it at that time). Aisa nahi hai ki pachta rahe hain hum. Khush hi hain hum” (It is not like I have any regrets, I am happy).
We’re Happy, Very Happy With the ISPL – Salman Khan
Salman Khan has become the owner of the New Delhi team in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), a T10 tennis ball cricket tournament. This emerging league already has several franchise owners from Bollywood.
The actor expressed satisfaction with the ISPL, stating that tennis ball and street-style cricket better match their preferences than the major professional leagues. They feel more connected to this grassroots format, which they genuinely enjoy playing.
“We’re happy—very happy—with the ISPL. That’s more our style—tennis ball cricket, gully cricket… the kind we actually play. The big leagues are not really for us, we’re better off here.”
I Really Want This League to Grow as Big as the IPL – Sohail Khan
Sohail Khan, owner of the Khan Tigers padel team, expressed optimism about the World Padel League’s growth. The league has attracted celebrity involvement, including Salman and Sohail Khan.
“I really want this league to grow as big as the IPL one day. But that won’t happen until Indian athletes start playing padel. That’s the only way it will grow. It all depends on how much the media promotes it and whether kids start picking it up.”
Season 3 of the World Padel League is set to begin on August 12 and conclude on August 16. The tournament, co-founded by tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, will be hosted at the NESCO Center in Goregaon, Mumbai.
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