‘I was afraid Shah Rukh Khan will jump from the balcony’: Wasim Akram recalls SRK’s wild celebration after KKR’s maiden IPL win, says prize money was equally distributed among team, crew

Wasim Akram spoke about Shah Rukh Khan's generosity, revealing that the prize money was shared equally among everyone who was part of the winning squad -- from captain Gautam Gambhir to the kit man.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | April 28, 2025 03:13 PM IST

3 min read

Wasim Akram says Shah Rukh ensured prize money was distributed equally after KKR maiden IPL win

Wasim Akram revealed that it was Shah Rukh Khan's decision to ensure prize money was distributed equally after KKR's maiden IPL win.

Who doesn’t remember Kolkata Knight Riders’ first IPL title win. And even more so, the way its owner and actor Shah Rukh Khan reacted to it? The year was 2012, when KKR defeated MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings to clinch their inaugural trophy. Naturally, Shah Rukh was over the moon. One of the most memorable visuals from that night remains Shah Rukh, so euphoric that he almost appeared ready to jump off the pavilion balcony.

Now, former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram, who was then KKR’s bowling coach, has recalled the moment in an interview with Sportskeeda Cricket, admitting he was genuinely scared seeing Shah Rukh’s exuberance. “Mujhe bilkul yaad hai… Mujhe darr tha ki kahin ye chalang hi na maar de upar se” (I remember it clearly… I was scared he might actually jump from up there).

Speaking about the atmosphere, he said, “Knowing SRK, knowing the King… Woh itne excited ho gaye thay… he was so happy, that was his first trophy, woh dream kar raha tha ki kaise hum jeete. Woh, Juhi Chawla ji, Mehta saab, saare owners… they were so happy… inke dil bohot bade hai… aur bade pyaar se rakhte hai team ko.” (He got so excited… he was so happy, it was his first trophy, he had been dreaming of how we would win. Juhi Chawla, Mehta saab, all the owners were so happy… they have such big hearts… and they take care of the team with a lot of love.)

Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan wanted Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore before landing KKR, reveals Lalit Modi: ‘He brought women and children into the game’

Wasim also spoke about Shah Rukh’s generosity, revealing that the prize money was shared equally among everyone who was part of the winning squad. “Ye bhi ek bada zabardast decision tha ki agar aapka stats ka banda hai… ya phir jo aapka kit man hai… use bhi utne hi paise milenge… jitne ki Gautam ko.” (It was a brilliant decision that even the stats guy, or the kit man, would get the same amount of prize money as captain Gautam Gambhir).”

He further expressed regret that he missed the team’s victory parade in Kolkata because he had to rush back to be with his family immediately after the final. “Woh maine miss kiya tha… open bus mein… poori team Calcutta mein ghumi thi… the whole city was out… everybody was there, the players, the staff… (I missed that… the team was on an open bus… they toured all over Calcutta… the whole city had come out… everybody was there, the players, the staff).”

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