5 Jan – Kareena Kapoor recently announced that she and husband Saif Ali Khan are now the owners of their own cricket team. Sharing the good news on social media on 3 January, the actress revealed that the two of them have bought Team Kolkata of the Indian Street Premiere League (ISPL).
"It's a fantastic opportunity for young aspiring cricketers out there and we couldn't be happier to be part of this experience!" she added.
In another statement, the couple said, "The partnership with ISPL symbolises both our love for cricket and the vibrant spirit of the City of Joy. Kolkata holds a special place in our hearts with our family's legacy and connection to the state. Here's to an exhilarating season where teamwork, talent, and sheer determination lead the way. Our association goes beyond ownership to a shared commitment to the spirit of the format which is designed to inspire a new generation of cricketing talent." The organiser stated that Saif's father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was a famous Indian cricketer and that the Pataudi family has a special connection to Kolkata through his mother, Sharmila Tagore being the great-great-grandniece of India's and West Bengal's most beloved icon, Rabindranath Tagore. It is noted that Kareena and Saif are not the only celebrities who have a team in the league. This includes Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Ram Charan and Hrithik Roshan.