Actress Shilpa Shetty and partner Raj Kundra, a Dubai based businessman have acquired 12 % stake in the Rajasthan Royals team in the IPL match series.

“It’s a strategic business investment. I always support the underdogs, as I am myself one. Rajasthan Royals were the underdogs in IPL before they succeeded (in winning the title)”, Shetty told a media conference on Tuesday

Shetty picked a 12% stake in the Rajasthan Royals with her partner Raj Kundra. She will also be the brand ambassador for the team.

London based Emerging Media Group had invested $67 million and bought the team sometime back.
Shilpa says that the idea to invest in the team was that of Raj who was very much impressed and inspired by the team’s success journey.
The actress says, “Whenever the team needs me I will pitch in. I will be the moral support of my team. The team needed an Indian owner and so I am here”.
Rajasthan Royals, led by Australian spinner Shane Warne, came out the surprise winners of last year’s inaugural Indian Premier League.
Shilpa Shetty, a UK Celebrity Big Brother winner two years ago, said she was happy to invest in the team.
“Cricket is not a sport in our country, it’s a religion. I am very passionate about cricket and who better to invest in than the current reigning IPL champions,” she said.
“It completes the success story for the IPL team by merging with Bollywood.”

Several other Bollywood stars like Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, are associated with the cash-rich event.
A total of £368m was spent on IPL teams by Indian investors last year.
And the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) earned more than £800m selling TV rights and team franchises for the tournament.