'Wish You Had Played Like This For Us': Shah Rukh Khan REVEALS Cheeky Banter With Ex-KKR Star

Kolkata Knight Riders is the third most successful side in IPL history, having won the coveted title a total of two times in 2012 and 2014. There have also been numerous great cricketers who have played for the franchise down the years and have become extremely successful like Gautam Gambhir, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. However, one player who could not perform up to his potential even after he took over as KKR captain after Gambhir's departure was Dinesh Karthik. Now, the team's owner and legendary Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has revealed a hilarious conversation he had with the ex-KKR captain.

Dinesh Karthik has rejuvenated his career since moving to Royal Challengers Benagaluru (RCB) in 2022. His performances as a finisher for RCB in 2022 earned him a call-up into the T20 World Cup side that year. In IPL 2024 too he has been superb as a finisher for RCB scoring 263 runs at a strike rate of 195. However, he never showed this form while playing for KKR. He was even replaced as the captain in the IPL 2021 by Eoin Morgan, who went on to lead the team to the final.

In a conversation with Star Sports, Shah Rukh Khan revealed that when he sees Dinesh Karthik play, he calls him up to congratulate him. He also tells the star wicketkeeper batter that he wished he could have played like this for KKR.

"When Dinesh Karthik plays well, I still call him and say, 'You played well, buddy. Wish you had played like this for us'," reveals SRK.

Big Homecoming For Gautam Gambhir: Shah Rukh Khan
Gautam Gambhir is KKR's most successful captain leading them to both their IPL trophies in 2012 and 2014. The former opener returned to the KKR setup for the first time after t017 in IPL 2024 as he took up the mantle of the mentor of the franchise. Shah Rukh Khan said that it is a big homecoming for Gambhir this year, and he has been immensely important for the franchise's good performances in the IPL 2024.

"For him, it's a big homecoming. You know, to come here, win two championships for us, and for himself to be back like this and to be doing what he's doing with the team, outside the team, and helping him, you know, from the culture that KKR stands for, I think it's immensely important. And very, very happy, just make him smile a bit,"Shah Rukh Khan said.