However, flouting FIP’s claim, Shahrukh candidly admits that “Nobody has the passion and heart to buy a stake in Kolkata Knight Riders.” He may be upset at KKR’s performance this year, but his passion for his team hasn’t dipped one bit. And he still has faith in the strength of his team. “The pressure to perform is greater now, but when you see Deccan and Bangalore turn it around in a year… I’m sure so can we.”

A research by UK-based brand valuation firm Intangible Business, in collaboration with MTI Consulting, revealed that the Kolkata Knight Riders are the most expensive team in the IPL. To that Khan retorts: “The valuation makes me smile a bit, [but] it will make me happy when our team provides value to our supporters on the field and makes them proud to be with KKR.”

And he also asserts that KKR is not all just about the money: “You don’t need just money to run KKR — we have our wonderful sponsors for that — what you need is love, and in that department I am the king,” he is quoted telling the Hindustan Times.

On the performance front, Shahrukh, a man who isn’t too accustomed to losing, wholly absorbs the responsibility of the losses: “We don’t hate failure enough,” he says. “The blame should completely rest on my shoulders. It’s my duty to overcome this year’s performance… I don’t like being a loser and I’ll pragmatically and passionately turn this around. Inshallah.”

Shahrukh is also pleased at the support the IPL received in South Africa. He was also warmed at the number of children between 8 and 15 years attending the matches, and whole heartedly offering their support. He gives them his word: “I want to promise them again this year… that the KKR shirts will be smaller for them in 2010, but they will never feel small wearing them as supporters.”

It’s heartening to see that despite all the lows his team has faced, and despite all the times he almost gave up on them, he still has faith in the team’s resurgence.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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