- Franchise deal inked between Knight Riders Group, majority owned by Bollywood 
superstar, Shah Rukh Khan and UAE's T20 League Chairman, Khalid Al Zarooni
- UAE's T20 League is Emirates Cricket Board's sanctioned, flagship 
professional T20 League
- As one of the most successful brands in T20 cricket globally, the Knight 
Riders are excited about the potential for professional T20 cricket in the UAE

    UAE's T20 League is delighted to announce that the Knight Riders Group has 
acquired the rights to own and operate the Abu Dhabi franchise and will set up 
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) as an integral part of the UAE's flagship T20 
league.

    Over the last decade, the Knight Riders Group has become a household name 
in T20 cricket. After establishing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2008 in the 
Indian Premier League (IPL), the Knight Riders became owners of the Trinbago 
Knight Riders (TKR) in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in 2015. Recently, 
the Knight Riders Group made a significant investment in Major League Cricket 
(MLC) in the USA and intends to set up a franchise in the greater Los Angeles 
area. 

    This investment by the Knight Riders Group, which is led by Bollywood 
superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, along with Juhi Chawla & her husband Jay Mehta, will 
establish their 4th T20 franchise around the world in IPL, CPL, MLC and now in 
UAE's T20 league.

    Mr. Shah Rukh Khan, commenting on the long-term agreement, said; "For 
several years now, we have been expanding the Knight Riders brand globally and 
closely watching the potential for T20 cricket in the UAE. We are excited about 
becoming part of UAE's T20 League, which no doubt will become hugely 
successful."

    Khalid Al Zarooni, UAE's T20 League Chairman said; "The commitment to grow 
the T20 format and the expertise gathered by the Knight Riders Group, through 
their involvement in franchise cricket across the world, is undisputed. We are 
exceptionally pleased with their foresight to join forces with the UAE's T20 
League and firmly believe it will elevate the reputation, and professionalism 
of the League throughout the cricket community."

    Mr. Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR and Red Chillies Entertainment, said, "We feel 
fortunate to have been consistently recognized as a global brand in T20 
cricket. As T20 cricket expands around the world, we are flattered by the 
regular invitations to play a major role in growing the sport across the world. 
We have had a keen interest in the developments in the UAE and our expansion is 
consistent with our long-term strategy".

    FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT:

    UAE's T20 League
    Email: pr@plt20.com

    Knight Riders Group contact:
    Sneh Kulkarni 
    sneh@kkr.in

    Achint Gupta 
    achint@kkr.in



    Source: UAE T20 League