IPL 2025: Ness Wadia breaks silence after reported heated spat with Shah Rukh Khan

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Punjab Kings owner Ness Wadia has broken his silence after a reported heated spat with Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan in a meeting of IPL owners with BCCI.

The KKR and PBKS owners got involved in a heated argument regarding the retention numbers of players ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction.

Several media reports indicated that KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wanted to retain 7-8 players, while PBKS and other franchises pushed for minimal retention. This difference in opinion led to a heated argument between Wadia and SRK during their meeting with BCCI secretary Jay Shah. The core of the debate was about the strategies franchises should adopt for the auction, affecting team compositions and league dynamics.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Wadia played down the incident, stressing his long-standing friendship with Shah Rukh.

"I have known Shah Rukh for more than 25 years. There is no animosity here," Wadia said.

"Everyone gave their views, and they had their opinions. At the end of the day, you have to look at all the stakeholders and do what's best for all. That's most important," he added.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah met IPL franchise owners on Wednesday (July 31) in Mumbai to discuss crucial issues like the need for a mega auction, the number of retentions, and the Impact Player rule for the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. The meeting was vital in shaping IPL's future direction, with franchise owners sharing their views on these critical matters.

The debate over player retention is particularly significant as it will determine team rosters' continuity and stability going into the next season.

Wadia refrained from elaborating on his stance but highlighted the importance of considering all stakeholders' interests. "Everyone gave their views, and they had their opinions. At the end of the day, you have to look at all the stakeholders and do what's best for all. That's most important," he added.

The discussion also covered other essential topics such as the necessity of a mega auction and how many players each team could retain. These decisions are crucial as they impact team strategies and overall league balance.