Rajasthan Royals Sold For More Than Rs 15,000 Crore, Set To Become Costliest IPL Franchise The Rajasthan Royals have become the most expensive Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in history after a consortium led by US-based entrepreneur Kal Somani acquired the team for over Rs 15,000 crore. The deal, valued at $1.63 billion (Rs 15,286 crore), marks a record-breaking transaction in the league’s history. Somani, founder of IntraEdge, Academian, and Truyo.AI, is backed by American businessman Rob Walton, a member of the Walmart family, and the Hamp family, who own majority stakes in the National Football League (NFL) team Detroit Lions. Sheila Ford Hamp, a co-owner of the Ford Motor Company, also has ties to the consortium. The ownership change will take effect after the completion of IPL 2026, with the new ownership structure set to reshape the franchise’s future. This acquisition has positioned Rajasthan Royals as the costliest IPL team ever, surpassing previous records. The deal underscores the growing financial stakes in the league, with franchises increasingly becoming high-value assets in the sports industry. In a related development, Rajasthan Royals have announced Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as the replacement for English all-rounder Sam Curran, who is sidelined due to injury. Shanaka, the T20I captain of Sri Lanka, will join the team for INR 2 crore as Curran’s replacement. The decision comes after Curran was traded to Rajasthan Royals along with Ravindra Jadeja in a deal that saw the franchise acquire Sanju Samson from the inaugural IPL winners, Chennai Super Kings. Kumar Sangakkara, director of cricket and head coach at Rajasthan Royals, expressed disappointment at losing Curran but praised Shanaka’s credentials.#rajasthan_royals #dasun_shanaka #kal_somani #rob_walton #sheila_ford_hamp
Dasun Shanaka Joins Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026 After Opting Out of PSL Sri Lanka's T20 captain, Dasun Shanaka, has signed with Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2026 season, marking his departure from the Pakistan Super League. The move comes as a replacement for Sam Curran, who is expected to miss the entire season due to a suspected groin injury. Shanaka, who was initially selected by Lahore Qalandars for the PSL 2026, has opted out of the tournament and will now represent Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. Shanaka's decision to leave the PSL follows a pattern of high-profile players exiting the league in recent years. He had remained unsold at the Abu Dhabi mini-auction in December and was later signed by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 75 lakh. However, after opting out of the PSL, he has joined Rajasthan Royals, a move that positions him to contribute to the franchise's ambitions in the IPL. A report by Cricbuzz confirmed the signing, with a top Rajasthan Royals official verifying the details. This is not the first instance of a player leaving the PSL for the IPL. Earlier this year, Blessing Muzarbani, a player contracted with Islamabad United, opted out of his PSL deal to join Kolkata Knight Riders. Shanaka's exit adds to the trend of top talent prioritizing the IPL over the PSL, which has faced challenges in retaining star players. Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Both teams were underperforming in the 2025 tournament, but with revamped squads, they aim to make a stronger showing in the 2026 season, which begins on March 28. The match against CSK is expected to be a key test for both sides as they seek to qualify for the knockout stages.#ipl_2026 #rajasthan_royals #pakistan_super_league #lahore_qalandars #dasun_shanaka
