Actor Abhishek Bachchan, recognized for his ownership of successful sports teams in kabaddi and football, has notably refrained from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a domain where numerous Bollywood stars like Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Shilpa Shetty have made investments. Abhishek explained that his decision primarily stemmed from the high costs associated with acquiring an IPL team at that time.
In a recent interview with Forbes, Abhishek elaborated on his reasons for not purchasing an IPL franchise. He remarked, “It’s quite fascinating. I don’t know anyone who isn’t a fan of the IPL. It represents the pinnacle of sports entertainment. I would have loved to be part of it, but initially—if I’m being honest—when it launched, it was prohibitively expensive. I was just starting out as an actor… my films had begun to gain traction, and I had started to earn a respectable income, but it was still beyond my financial reach.”
He also expressed concerns about his potential contributions to the league. “More critically, I was unsure of what value I could add. The BCCI manages the infrastructure exceptionally well—so what could I possibly offer? I’m not the type to simply sit in the stands and wave, thinking, ‘Oh, look, a celebrity has arrived,’” he stated.
Abhishek emphasized his proactive style of team management, saying, “If you’ve seen me at my matches, I’m deeply involved. I sit alongside the players, share their experiences, and if possible, I even participate in their training. I monitor their daily meals and meticulously manage every detail—that’s my preferred approach.”
When discussing cricket specifically, he acknowledged, “I wasn’t certain how I could contribute back then, as I wasn’t as knowledgeable about the sport as I am now. My familiarity lay more with other sports, and I wasn’t clear on how I could be of help. However, I believe in the idea of ‘never say never’—there might be opportunities in the future.”
The IPL was inaugurated in 2008, coinciding with Abhishek Bachchan’s efforts to establish his career in cinema through films like Dhoom, Dhoom 2, LOC: Kargil, and Guru. He later ventured into sports ownership by taking charge of the Jaipur Pink Panthers in April 2014 and co-owning Chennaiyin FC later that same year. Both teams have achieved notable success in their respective leagues, the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian Super League.
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