Kamal Ghorui
Abhishek Bachchan has opened up about why he stayed away from investing in the Indian Premier League, despite several Bollywood celebrities owning teams in the tournament.In a recent interaction with Forbes, the actor said cost was a major factor when the league began.“It is very interesting. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like the IPL. I think it is the ultimate in sports entertainment. I would love to be involved in it, but at that point of time—first of all, to be honest—when it started, it was very expensive. I was a fledgling actor… my films had just started doing well, I had begun earning some decent money, but it was out of my budget,” he said.
‘I’m not someone who just sits and waves’
Abhishek also explained that beyond finances, he wasn’t sure how he could contribute to the sport at the time.“More importantly, I didn’t know what I could contribute. In terms of infrastructure, the BCCI does a wonderful job—so what could I bring to the table? I am not someone who is happy sitting in the stands and waving. ‘Oh, a star has arrived’—I am not that person,” he added.Highlighting his approach to sports ownership, he said, “If you have seen me at my matches, I am very involved. I sit with the players. I live with them. I train them if I can. I even approve what they eat every day. I micromanage everything—that’s how I like to work.”
‘Never say never’
Speaking about cricket specifically, the actor admitted he wasn’t as familiar with the sport earlier.“I didn’t know how I could contribute because I wasn’t as well-versed in the sport back then as I am now. I was more familiar with other sports and didn’t know how I could be of assistance. But never say never—maybe something will happen in the future,” he said. The IPL began in 2008, when Abhishek was still establishing himself in Bollywood. He later ventured into sports ownership with teams like Jaipur Pink Panthers and Chennaiyin FC, both of which have gone on to achieve success in their respective leagues.
