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In Conversation with Shilpa Shetty, Co-Owner, Rajasthan Royals...

How and when did you decide to get into the business of cricket?
Its a long story but in a nutshell, it was my husband Raj’s idea, who convinced me that investing into IPL was a good

business strategy for us. Hence I took the call. I have to admit I didn’t know that much about the business of cricket,
but I have certainly learnt a lot on the job.

How did you and Raj zero in on the Rajasthan royals? Was it a financial decision based on good franchise evaluation
or an emotional decision ?

Well the year we invested they were the reigning champions unfortunately we didn’t fare as well in 2009. But on
a serious note the Royals as a team after Raj’s due diligence seemed to be the most organized. It certainly was a
complete financial decision and considering how big cricket is in India, it was Raj’s gut feeling that the IPL format
would mean what Football Premier league is to Britain and I guess it has proved just that!!!

How has the IPL journey been for you so far?
It’s been a roller coaster of a journey! Every match has been unpredictable and I guess that’s what makes the concept

so much fun. I must say it’s also been a learning curve, at the first match I didn’t even know the names of all my
players, (there were so many!) but now I just don’t know them but they all feel like part of an extended family.

Which sports did you follow in your growing up years?
Volleyball, because I played it at school and was selected for the national’s, but I played Bombay zone and district

for a long time. Other then that I did watch cricket as my father is an ardent fan of the game. But strangely even
then I most enjoyed the last five overs of the game and I would tell dad to call me as I didn’t have the patience to sit
through the whole game, I guess the T20 format totally suits my taste .

Any sporting legends that inspired you?
In my time it was Vivian Richards, Kapil dev, Sunil Gavoskar, Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar.

What is your take on Shane Warne as captain, player and person?
The Royals feel privileged to have him as a captain, he is a legend. He is the best captain any team could ever have
and the first season just reiterated that. Considering it was called the underdogs amongst all teams. His USP is his i must say it’s also been a learning curve, at the first
strategies used in any given situation on the field and never losing his cool. The fact that he is an iconic player is
match I didn’t even know the names of all my players,

and off the field and for the ones that don’t know he is a professional poker player. (there were so many!) but now I just don’t know them
but they all feel like part of an extended family.
What was your first reaction when you heard the IPL was moving to South Africa?
Honestly I was in shock and quite disturbed thinking about the logistic impossibilities and how shifting it at the last
moment would make it all possible. But kudos to Lalit and his team who managed to make the impossible possible SHILPA SHETTY, CO-OWNER, RAJASTHAN ROYALS
in such a short span of time. It was incredible to actually be there and experience the impeccable infrastructure and
facilities that the South African Government and the encouragement the Cricket fans had to offer.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS 195
194 RAJASTHAN ROYALS Raj Kundra & Shilpa Shetty

such a motivation for the younger players to look up to. As a person he is a complete charmer and a gentleman on “