Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor has expressed his willingness to buy an IPL team in the future. The 32-year-old actor is currently the co-owner of Pune City FC team in Indian Super League (ISL). He said he loves cricket and would like to do something for the game.
Over the past 10 years, the Bollywood stars have ruled the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Shah Rukh Khan has won 2 IPL titles as the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. Preity Zinta has been associated with Kings XI Punjab and Shilpa Shetty with Rajasthan Royals.
Akshay Kumar was the brand-partner of Delhi Daredevils at the time of inception of the Indian Premier League back in 2008. The Bacchans have been great supporters of Mumbai Indians.
Speaking to IANS, Arjun Kapoor said, “The Indian Premier League (IPL) is really flying at a level where everything is pretty self-sufficient now but never say never… I have a keen interest in cricket also. I would love to be a part of something where I contribute and not just because it’s in fashion. You need to feel a connect,”
The IPL is set to don a new avatar next season. Star Sports have bought the media rights for a whopping 16347 crores for a period of 5 years. IPL fans will have to bid adieu to some of their favorite superstars as changes in IPL Auction rules and player retention policies are also expected. A new rule of mid-season transfer is likely to be introduced where a player can be shifted from one franchise to other if he doesn”t get a chance in first 7 games.
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will return after serving their 2-year ban while Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions have been discarded. Still, the number of teams in IPL continues to remain eight. The eleventh season of IPL is likely to get underway on April 4, 2018.
– by Atharva Apte
