Salman Khan Reveals Why He Never Purchased an IPL Team

Salman Khan has finally opened up about why he never owned an Indian Premier League team despite having the opportunity to do so years back. The Bollywood legend shared that when the IPL first started in 2008 he was given an opportunity to own a franchise but he chose not to pursue it. At a recent gathering in Mumbai he teased that now he feels too old to venture into team owning. His own words were that he is too old for the IPL now and that got everybody laughing. Salman also made it amply clear that he has no regrets and is content with how things panned out.

The IPL that started in 2008 has now become the largest cricket league in the world. Years have gone by and it has provided nail biting matches record breaking acts and unforgettable cricket memories for the fans. From nail biting last over finishes to stunning bowling spells the tournament has been a cricketer's dream platform across the globe. After more than 17 successful seasons it continues to attract not only top international players but also huge investments from business tycoons and celebrities.

Several Bollywood actors have grabbed the chance to own a stake in the league. Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla are the proud co-owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders whereas Preity Zinta is with the Punjab Kings. Their presence provides an added glamour to the tournament and more involvement from fans. It is not difficult to see why the IPL is not only about cricket but also all about entertainment and stardom.

When asked if he would ever own a team in the future, Salman replied half in jest and half in truth. He said that he did receive the offer to be a team owner when the league was young but did not follow through then. He said that it is something he does not regret and that he was okay with what he had done. To the fans, it came as a shock that one of Bollywood's biggest stars could have been a part of the IPL from the very beginning.

Apart from owning a team Salman has been keeping himself occupied with his acting work. The 59-year-old actor was most recently seen in the movie Sikandar alongside Rashmika Mandanna. His fans are now eagerly awaiting his next film Battle of Galwan that is based on the 2020 India China Galwan Valley clash. The film has already piqued interest as it deals with a key and emotional period of recent history.

While Salman remains in the thick of movie work, the IPL world is abuzz with its own news. The player trade window has been the talk of the town as fans eagerly follow which cricketers are likely to switch teams ahead of the next season. One of the biggest news around is related to Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson who may switch to a different franchise. There have been reports that Chennai Super Kings would be his next destination and that has already generated buzz among fans.

IPL has never been a simple sports league. It is a carnival where cricket comes together in addition to entertainment business prospects and international limelight. With top sports Bollywood and corporate personalities all pouring in investments the league has only grown larger annually. For a celebrity like Salman to own a team would have been an organic extension of his brand but the fact that he stepped away from it proves that not all celebrities need to be part of the league in order to remain relevant or successful.

Salman's confession has led people to discuss among themselves how things could have been different if he had joined the league in 2008. His personality and huge fan following could have given the tournament a new element of thrill. Yet the fact that he rejected the offer indicates that he makes decisions on what feels right to him, not going with the current trend. His easy remark at being too old for the IPL is yet another instance of his capacity to laugh at himself and remain grounded.

Both the IPL and Salman Khan end up thriving in their own separate worlds. The IPL continues to expand with new records new stars and new surprises every season. Salman is one of the biggest and most bankable stars in India with a devoted fan following that goes from one hit to another. Although their careers might have intersected in a business venture some years ago both have achieved success in different forms.

It can be safely assumed that both Salman and the IPL understand the way to entertain their audiences whether on the silver screen or in the cricket ground. The league will continue to provide exciting cricket and starry glamour and Salman will continue to make movies that attract such large crowds to the cinema halls. His choice not to own a team is now just another fascinating page in his lengthy career and a reminder that occasionally the offers that we decline can be as telling as the ones we take.