The speculation over the sale of Rajasthan Royals (RR) is now over, with a consortium led by US-based tech entrepreneur Kal Somani acquiring the franchise for a whopping $1.6 billion. This has made Rajasthan Royals the costliest franchise in IPL history.
This development comes just days before the IPL 2026 season that gets underway on 28 March.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, the Kal Somani consortium will officially take over RR ownership from Emerging Media’s Manoj Badale after the IPL 2026 season.
Kal Somani-led consortium buys 100% stake in RR
The report adds that Somani, whose consortium will also include Walmart, have acquired a 100% stake in Rajasthan Royals, who are yet to win the IPL title since 2008.
Kal Somani is in his 50s, and apart from cricket, his interests lie in golf as well. He co-owns the Motor City Golf Club, which is associated with golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who are the co-founders of the club.
Former India cricketer Sourav Ganguly noted how the IPL has evolved significantly since the tournament’s inception in 2008.
“It (IPL) is only going to greater heights. I have been hearing RCB is also on sale. I don’t know what has happened to that. It’s great news for IPL. I played the first ball of the IPL in 2008, RCB vs KKR. We smashed them at Chinnaswamy Stadium and I faced the first ball.
“To see IPL grow to these heights is phenomenal. It also goes to show the game expanding, and some of the buyers are from America, and the game going to that part of the world with interest, specially Indian cricket, it is fantastic.
“It’s mind-boggling numbers for a franchise and a cricket team which plays three months a year, but great news for Indian cricket and the way forward,” Ganguly said while addressing reporters at an event in Noida.
Rajasthan Royals aim for first IPL title since 2008
Rajasthan Royals have not won the IPL since winning the title in the inaugural season in 2008. They reached the final in 2022 under Sanju Samson’s cataincy, but lost to Gujarat Titans (GT).
The Royals traded Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran being traded the other way. Curran, however, has been ruled out due to an injury, and Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka has replaced him.
Rajasthan Royals, who will be led by Riyan Parag, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign with a match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on 30 March.
The Royals, who were coached by Rahul Dravid in 2025, finished in eighth place last season with just eight points from 14 matches.
Kumar Sangakkara, the Director of Cricket for RR, will also be the team’s head coach in IPL 2026.
