Shah Rukh Khan and Sourav Ganguly during the KKR launch in 2008

Calcutta: Just when it seemed that the Kolkata Knight Riders’ dressing room probably wasn’t big enough to accommodate three powerful men — principal owner Shah Rukh Khan, captain Sourav ‘Dada’ Ganguly and cricket manager John Buchanan — Shah Rukh rubbished reports suggesting he favoured Sourav being replaced.

“Won’t even comment on such nonsense piece of news,” was Shah Rukh’s texted reply to The Telegraph, on Tuesday evening.

He further messaged: “Dada and me are too self-respecting to cater to all the write-ups… You guys should support your team and Dada and make sure the team shines one day… Do look at the positives, instead of negatives… We, at KKR, respect Dada’s genius.”

So, for now, Sourav should feel secure.

Of course, three-and-half-years ago, the Team India dressing room hadn’t been big enough for two — Sourav and the then-coach Greg Chappell — and India’s most successful Test captain found himself out in the cold.

That bitter experience hasn’t been forgotten.

Sourav and Buchanan had a one-on-one on Tuesday morning, but neither was available for a reaction. It’s highly unlikely that the captaincy issue wouldn’t have come up in one form or the other.

Somebody close to Sourav did, however, say: “Whatever Buchanan’s views on captaincy, and the different way he wants to approach it, Shah Rukh will almost surely have the last word…”

Sourav is the Knight Riders’ icon player and the icons are tied to their franchises for three years, till the 2010 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), that is.

Buchanan, who boasts a phenomenal record as Australia’s coach, apparently favours rotating the captaincy between four players — Sourav, West Indies captain Chris Gayle, New Zealand No.2 Brendon McCullum and Australian Brad Hodge.

That hasn’t been made official and, if implemented, Sourav would lose his position of pre-eminence.

Obviously, such a move won’t go down well with the Knight Riders’ fans, who swear by Shah Rukh and Sourav. As for implementation, it would be much easier on neutral territory, rather than in matches at the Eden.

So, if the Buchanan Doctrine is actually taken forward, then it’s just as well that this year’s edition of the T20 tournament is being held in South Africa.

Buchanan, who is keen on “developing leaders” within the squad, has somewhat radical ideas.

For example, if he had his way, then coach Matthew Mott would be the captain when the Knight Riders are batting and, while fielding, the captaincy may be rotated.

That could lead to much confusion in such a short game, but Buchanan is likely to push for it. “I realise I’m accountable,” is what he’d said the other day.

Clearly, it seems Buchanan is all for a soccer-like management.