Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty owns a share in the IPL team, the Rajathastan Royals. Photo courtesy Vishvarupa

Fans and critics alike agree – the IPL series has changed the face of cricket!

Firstly, IPL offers audiences a fast-paced game with just 20 overs per side. Then, combining international players into teams means that suddenly team-mates become enemies and long-held rivalries must be put aside. Finally, its partnership with some of Bollywood’s biggest stars gives the game glamour.

Shilpa Shetty, an actress who achieved worldwide fame following a stint on a recent series of Celebrity Big Brother (UK), is a part-owner of the Rajasthan Royals. She arrived in South Africa last week.

Bollywood leading man Shahrukh Khan is a shareholder in the Kolkata Knight Riders and actress Preity Zinta is a co-owner of the Mohali-based team Kings XI Punjab.