Rajasthan Royals are reportedly set to be sold for $1.63 billion (around ₹15,289 crore) to a consortium led by Indian-origin American businessman Kal Somani. If the deal goes through as reported, it would make the inaugural IPL champions the most expensive franchise in the league and mark a significant ownership shift for the team closely associated with Jaipur.
The valuation sets a new benchmark in the IPL, surpassing the previous record from 2021 when Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group acquired Lucknow Super Giants for ₹7,090 crore. For Jaipur-based fans, the development is notable not just for its financial scale but also because Rajasthan Royals remain one of the state’s strongest sporting identities, drawing consistent attention during matches in the capital.
Quick Highlights
- Rajasthan Royals are reportedly valued at about $1.63 billion (₹15,289 crore).
- The leading bid comes from a consortium headed by Kal Somani.
- The valuation exceeds the ₹7,090 crore paid for Lucknow Super Giants in 2021.
- Other contenders in the final race reportedly included Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, and Capri Global.
Why the valuation stands out
Rajasthan Royals were originally purchased in 2008 for $67 million (roughly ₹260–270 crore at the time). Adjusted to current value, that figure is about ₹628 crore, making the latest reported valuation nearly 24 times higher.
This sharp rise highlights how dramatically IPL franchise values have grown, even for teams without frequent recent titles. Rajasthan’s brand strength remains significant due to its historic 2008 championship win and its continued popularity, especially among Jaipur-based fans.
Who Kal Somani is and what happens next
Kal Somani is described as a prominent figure in technology and investment, with interests spanning ed-tech, data privacy, AI governance, and sports tech. He has reportedly been an investor in Rajasthan Royals since 2021, indicating that this move could be an expansion of his existing stake rather than a completely new entry.
Manoj Badale previously held a 65% stake in the franchise, but the exact ownership structure after the deal has not been detailed. The next key update for fans will likely be official confirmation of shareholding changes and any shifts in team operations.
A franchise with a long and uneven IPL history
Rajasthan Royals won the first-ever IPL title in 2008 under Shane Warne. Since then, their performance has been mixed, with their only subsequent final appearance coming in 2022, where they lost to Gujarat Titans.
The team’s history also includes controversy. Following the 2015 spot-fixing case, the Lodha Committee found co-owner Raj Kundra guilty of betting, leading to a two-season suspension for both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in 2016 and 2017. Rajasthan returned to the league in 2018.
Given this background, any new ownership phase is expected to draw close attention—not just in Jaipur, but across Rajasthan.
