Kolkata Knight Riders acquire Abu Dhabi franchise in UAE's new T20 League 

The investment by Knight Riders Group, the parent company of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise in the prestigious Indian Premier League, will put their fourth T20 franchise around the world. 

Lancer Capital, Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited (Mumbai Indians), GMR Group (owners of Delhi Capitals), Capri Global, and Adani Group have also acquired franchisees in the UAE T20 league.

Knight Riders Group is co-owned by Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, actress Juhi Chawla and her husband, Jay Mehta. The group has recently made investments in a 10,000 seater stadium in Los Angeles for Major League Cricket in the USA with plans to set up a sister franchisee 'Los Angeles Knight Riders' in the greater Los Angeles area. The group established Kolkata Knight Riders during the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008. After the success of Kolkata Knight Riders, they acquired Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League in 2015.

Following the announcement, Shahrukh Khan said, "For several years now, we have been expanding the Knight Riders brand globally and closely watching the potential for T20 cricket in the UAE. We are excited about becoming part of UAE's T20 League, which will undoubtedly become hugely successful.

Emirates Cricket Board has sanctioned UAE T20 League as their flagship professional T20 League. The League's inaugural season will have six times competing for the title in a 34 match event.

Chairman of the UAE T20 League, Khalid Al Zarooni, expressed his views on the acquisition made by Knight Riders Group; he said, "The commitment to grow the T20 format and the expertise gathered by the Knight Riders Group, through their involvement in franchise cricket across the world, is undisputed. We are exceptionally pleased with their foresight to join forces with the UAE's T20 League and firmly believe it will elevate the reputation and professionalism of the League throughout the cricket