'I have paid my players to win. Will I pay them now to lose'

The defeat of his Knights in the Indian Premier League seems to have left the team owner King Khan with a bitter aftertaste. The first season of the Indian Premier League will be now remembered for Shahrukh Khan's tirades, which show no sign of easing.

Still apparently in a fit of sulks, Khan has lashed at the IPL, saying on Thursday (May 22) that he hadn't paid his team to lose, but to win.

Khan had felt quite at home among his Knights - so much so he wouldn't budge an inch from their side. But then one fine evening he was asked by the authorities to keep his beloved team at arm's length - the actor was miffed, and swift came the first salvo in these words:

"My hanging around in the dressing room, is apparently 'anti-Anti-Corruption'. I'm like, listen, don't tell me that I am corrupt...let CBI, ICC Code of Conduct team - anybody - dare try to stop me from meeting my team for every match."

Khan was then provided with a solution - following the tradition of handing out purple and orange caps to the players, IPL announced a red, all-area accreditation badge to one member of each of the eight franchisees, to be given by the ICC's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) which gave them access to the team dugout and dressing room as well.

But Khan did not take the bait provided by the officials and was absent from the very next match.

Subsequently the Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the IPL, and afterwards the Kolkata team came under some battery. The egotist in the showman came out and the second salvo hit when it mattered; Khan's supposed SMS to his team, which took another dig at the IPL, has become a public dossier.

The message comes close to ridiculing the IPL governing body. Khan says he has again decided not to come on the ground till he figures out the "headmaster's rules".

"I am still trying to understand the code of conduct expected of me at the matches of the IPL.... ICC... Etc.... After I understand it, I will decide whether to accept it or not.... Till such time, I will be with you guys at the hotel... in the meetings etc., but won't come for the matches.... So, please don't ever feel it is anything to do with us as a team," read the SMS which was published by The Telegraph.

What is more, Khan has since been crying foul wherever he goes. The latest was outside the studio of his popular TV show.

Reiterating that he was not corrupt, SRK lashed out at the governing body saying he has paid his players to win and not to lose.

"I have paid my players to win. Will I pay them now to lose? This is illogical," he said yesterday (May 22). He added, "Why pick me? Other team owners are seen near their players. Is it because I am a celebrity and vulnerable?"

All in all, it's a joy that has gone haywire, a tale that was scripted, hit an incredible high only to turn a damp squib within two weeks.

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