Actor Preity Zinta, who co-owns the newly rechristened Punjab Kings team, bought right-hand batsman and occasional right-arm off-spinner Shahrukh Khan for a sum of ₹5.25 crore. The cricketer, who is named after actor Shah Rukh Khan, had a base price of ₹20 lakh. Incidentally, Shah Rukh co-owns the rival Kolkata Knight Riders team.
Many fans had hilarious reactions to it. “Finally Veer & Zaara met. #IPLAuction,” one wrote, referring to Yash Chopra’s Veer-Zaara, a film about star-crossed lovers, starring Shah Rukh and Preity in the lead roles.“Priety Zinta helps SRK make his IPL debut after she debuted with SRK,” another wrote, referring to Preity’s first release, Dil Se, in which she was cast opposite Shah Rukh. “SRK n zinta in same team now,” a third wrote. “After KKR now Punjab also got a SRK,” a fourth wrote.