Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending IPL champions, are set to begin their new season with an opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having secured their third IPL trophy last season, KKR have maintained the majority of their winning squad despite the mega-auction.
Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of KKR, has been closely associated with the franchise for 18 years. The Bollywood superstar is known for his regular presence at Eden Gardens and his passionate support for the team.
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Prior to the 2025 season, KKR’s social media channels shared a video showing Shah Rukh Khan addressing the team and staff members in the dressing room. He had arrived in Kolkata on Friday night amid tight security arrangement.
“Please be healthy, be happy. And thank you Chandu (coach Chandrakant Pandit) sir, for looking after them. And welcome aboard to the new members,” said SRK in his speech to the team.
KKR have retained bulk of their 2024 squad while refreshing their depth options with new additions. The most significant change has been in leadership, with Ajinkya Rahane replacing Shreyas Iyer as captain.
“Thank you Ajinkya for joining us and being our captain. God bless you, and I hope you will find a good home here, and play well with all of us.”
“God bless you all. Have a good evening, a good match, and be healthy all of you.”
The opening match between KKR and RCB will be played at Eden Gardens, which is expected to be filled to capacity. Shah Rukh Khan is likely to be present among the star-studded audience in Kolkata for the season opener.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
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