IPL: Rajasthan Royals Sold for Record ₹15,289 Crore
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- Mar 24, 2026
- 705
In a watershed moment for franchise cricket, Rajasthan Royals have been sold for an unprecedented $1.63 billion (approximately ₹15,289 crore), establishing a new benchmark as the most valuable team in the history of the Indian Premier League.
The acquisition was secured by Indian-American investor Kal Somani, whose consortium outbid several heavyweight corporate contenders in a fiercely competitive process. The deal eclipses the previous record set by Lucknow Super Giants, which were acquired by the RPSG Group in 2021 for ₹7,090 crore.
The scale of appreciation in Rajasthan Royals’ valuation underscores the IPL’s meteoric commercial ascent. Originally purchased in 2008 for a modest $67 million (roughly ₹260–270 crore at the time), the franchise’s inflation-adjusted worth would stand near ₹628 crore today. The latest transaction therefore reflects an extraordinary nearly 24-fold increase in value.
The final round of bidding featured prominent players such as the Aditya Birla Group, the Times Group, and Capri Global. Despite strong competition, Somani’s consortium ultimately emerged as the successful bidder.
Somani, a prominent figure in global investment and technology circles, has built ventures across sectors including ed-tech, artificial intelligence governance, data security, and sports technology. This acquisition significantly deepens his footprint in the global sports ecosystem.
On the sporting front, Rajasthan Royals etched their name in history by winning the inaugural IPL title in 2008 under the charismatic leadership of Shane Warne. However, sustained success has largely eluded the franchise since, with their only subsequent final appearance coming in 2022, where they fell short against the Gujarat Titans.
The franchise’s journey has not been without controversy. Following the 2015 spot-fixing scandal, an inquiry led by the Lodha Committee found co-owner Raj Kundra guilty of betting-related violations. Consequently, both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were suspended for the 2016 and 2017 seasons before being reinstated in 2018.
This landmark transaction not only redefines franchise valuations within the IPL but also signals the league’s ever-expanding global stature as a premier sporting and commercial enterprise.