Shah Rukh Khan

KOLKATA: Shahrukh Khan turned on his charm at a midnight press conference after the Kolkata Knight Riders registered a nine-run win over the Deccan Chargers in their first home match at the Eden Gardens in IPL 4.

Playing in front of sparsely-populated stands, the Knight Riders turned in an impressive performance with the bat and ball, but failed to win over fans still sulking over the absence of their favourite icon Sourav Ganguly in the team

Sensing the mood in the city, King Khan was quick to dedicate KKR's victory to Ganguly. "I really want to do (win) this because I am not playing here. Ideally, I want to do this for Kolkata, I want to do this for Sourav Ganguly, I want to do this for IPL," Shah Rukh said.

Shah Rukh also said Ganguly might not be playing for the Knight Riders but the former Indian captain was and is still a part of the team in soul and spirit.

"In the three years of depression, what has kept us going is that Kolkatans have stuck with us. Dada is part of our team always in soul and spirit.

"Whenever, I've come to the Eden I've only felt love. Never thought whether it's because of one player or any other reason. I'm just happy being here," says Shah Rukh.

Sourav, who had prior commitments in Delhi on Monday, returned to the city in the evening but didn't show up at the Eden Gardens despite being invited by the KKR management to attend their opening home game.

A disappointed Shah Rukh hoped that Ganguly would come and cheer the Knight Riders in the upcoming six home matches. "We had, in fact, asked him to join us in watching the match together, he could not make it due to some engagements. Hopefully, he will be with us for the rest of the matches."

Asked about the low turnout, Shah Rukh indicated that ticket prices may be slashed so that more fans can pack the stands at the renovated Eden Gardens