As part of their continued commitment to empowering the community and celebrating everyday heroes, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are bringing their Shahoshi Rani initiative to the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This unique initiative honours women who have shown exceptional bravery, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity.These Shahoshi Ranis will be at the heart of KKR’s message of celebrating strength, inspiring change, and fostering inclusivity in sport when the defending champions take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Eden Gardens on May 7, according to a press release issued by the franchise.As part of the campaign, 40 Shahoshi Ranis will attend the KKR practice session, where they will have the opportunity to watch the team train, interact with players and coaching staff, and spend time with franchise co-owner Juhi Chawla, who will also be present to engage with these remarkable women.To further amplify the initiative beyond the cricket field, KKR’s practice jerseys ahead of the match against CSK will prominently feature the Shahoshi Rani logo on the back. As a personal gesture of recognition, each player and member of the support staff will wear the name of one Shahoshi Rani beneath the logo, symbolising a bond between the team and the women they are honouring.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?In addition, the team will be filming select moments from the practice session, capturing inspiring interactions between the Shahoshi Ranis and the players. These stories will be shared across digital platforms to spotlight the strength and spirit these women represent — not just to the team, but to a global audience.Speaking about the initiative, Juhi Chawla, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, said :“Shahoshi Rani is more than just a campaign — it’s a celebration of real courage. These women are an inspiration, and we are honoured to share our platform with them. We hope their stories move others as much as they’ve moved us.”
The Shahoshi Rani initiative is one of several community-led efforts championed by KKR, reflecting their commitment to using sport as a tool for positive change — to amplify voices that matter and inspire people beyond the cricket field.Today’s match between CSK and KKR will also mark the 100th IPL match at Eden Gardens, adding another layer of significance to what promises to be a memorable occasion.
