Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan will not be able to attend the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium, due to a five-year ban imposed on the actor last year.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) banned the Bollywood star from entering the stadium premises for five years after he got involved in a scuffle with security staff, following KKR's win against MI on 16 May, 2012.
The MCA has decided to stick by its stand and has decided not to allow Shah Rukh inside the stadium during this year's IPL. "There is a clause in the agreement we are to sign with Mumbai Indians tomorrow that any person who has been debarred by the association cannot enter our premises. It's not specific to any single person," MCA joint secretary Nitin Dalal told the Press Trust of India on Sunday.
"We had informed everyone concerned, including IPL authorities and team owners, about the ban after the decision had been taken."
This means that Shah Rukh would not be able to attend the match between his KKR team and MI on 7 May at Wankhede. Reports suggest that the security personnel at the stadium have been told not to allow Sharukh inside the premises.
Last year, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla had attempted to find a solution for the issue. He had said that the final call on the ban would be taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "State bodies can only recommend but a final decision has to be taken by the BCCI. When the matter comes to BCCI, the Board will decide (on the ban)," Shukla had told reporters last year.
In a bid to find an amicable solution, it is believed that the chairman will discuss the issue with the MCA officials in the coming days.
The sixth season of IPL is all set to begin on 3 April in Kolkata. The opening ceremony will see popular actors Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and international rapper Pitbull joining Sharukh Khan for grand performances.
The first IPL match of this season is between Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils at Eden Gardens. To see the entire schedule of IPL 6, click here.
