Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders' co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was spotted at the Kolkata airport on March 21, Friday ahead of the defending champions' opening match of IPL 2025 at the Eden Gardens. The veteran actor was surrounded by plenty of police officers as he waved to the fans after coming out of the airport.
The Knight Riders had sealed their third title with a commanding eight-wicket victory over the SunRisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 final in Chennai. Shah Rukh had been present for almost all the games of the Knight Riders and even encouraged their players in case of defeats by going in their dressing rooms.
Below is the video of SRK being spotted at Kolkata Airport:
King Khan touches down in Kolkata, bringing his signature charm to the IPL opener! Waving love to the fans, as always — the heartbeat of KKR is here! ✨@iamsrk @KKRiders @KKRUniverse #ShahRukhKhan #KingKhan #SRK #King #KnightClub #KKR #KolkataKnightRiders #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/KpaMKM3y0d
— Shah Rukh Khan Universe Fan Club (@SRKUniverse) March 21, 2025
The Knight Riders will kick off IPL 2025 by facing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, the entire match could be washed out, given there is prediction of rain in the evening.
KKR are ahead in head-to-head battle against RCB
Meanwhile, the Knight Riders are ahead in head-to-head battle as they have won 20 matches out of 34 contested between the two sides thus far since 2008.
They had memorably locked horns in the 2008 edition when Brendon McCullum's 73-ball 158* lifted Kolkata to 222 and they eventually won by 140 runs. RCB are also hunting their first title, having fallen short thrice in the final.
The Knight Riders had also beaten the Royal Challengers on both occasions in IPL 2024. However, they both have new captains for IPL 2025, with Ajinkya Rahane leading the three-time champions and Rajat Patidar skippering Bengaluru.