A US-based group led by entrepreneur Kal Somani has bought the Rajasthan Royals cricket team. The deal is worth USD 1.6 billion . This makes the Royals one of the most valuable teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
New Ownership Group
Kal Somani is a tech businessman who has been a small investor in the team since 2021. His group now includes major global names. Rob Walton, the heir to the Walmart fortune, is part of the group. The Hamp family, who own the NFL’s Detroit Lions, also joined the bid.
The sale was managed by the Raine Group, a global investment bank. This bank previously handled the sales of famous football clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United.
Impact on the league
This is a record-breaking deal for the IPL. It is the first time a team has been sold for more than USD 1 billion. Experts say this shows that the value of IPL teams is growing very fast. Other teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may also see their values rise because of this sale.
Future of the team
The current owner, Manoj Badale, will stay in charge until the end of the IPL 2026 season. The new owners will take full control after the tournament finishes.
On the field, the team has also made changes. Riyan Parag is the new captain for the 2026 season. Kumar Sangakkara remains the head coach and Director of Cricket. The team starts its new season on March 30 with a game against Chennai Super Kings.
