<p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The Rajasthan Royals have been sold for a record USD 1.63 billion to an American-led consortium backed by Walmart heir Rob Walton, making it the most expensive franchise deal in IPL history.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">US-based tech entrepreneur Kal Somani - who previously held a minority stake in the club - converted that holding into outright ownership after his group outbid rivals in a process that concluded just days before IPL 2026 opens.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The deal was confirmed on March 24, four days before the season opener, with formal ownership transfer expected after the current campaign concludes. Rajasthan Royals will continue under the existing management structure for now, with the new consortium waiting to officially assume control.</p><h2 style="margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;">Record Valuation that Rewrites IPL History</h2><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Somani's group, facilitated by investment bank Raine Group, also includes Sheila Ford Hamp, owner of the NFL's Detroit Lions. Somani, a mid-50s entrepreneur from Scottsdale, Arizona, founded technology companies including IntraEdge, Truyo, and Academian, and had been a minority investor in the franchise before expanding to full control. Previous majority owner Manoj Badale, who led the club through Emerging Media since the league's inception, has fully divested his stake.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The USD 1.63 billion price tag - around AUD 2.44 billion, or Rs 15,290 crore in Indian terms - dwarfs all prior IPL franchise transactions.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Lucknow Super Giants sold for USD 940 million in 2022, while Gujarat Titans changed majority hands for USD 575 million. A rival bid of USD 1.7 billion from Columbia Pacific Capital Partners was rejected over concerns about executability, with Somani's consortium prevailing after a March 16 bidding deadline. The sale is subject to BCCI approval.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The valuation is a remarkable reflection of how far the league has travelled commercially since Rajasthan last won the title in the inaugural 2008 season, a drought now stretching 18 years. For those looking to follow the action, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket/indian-premier-league">IPL betting odds</a> are available throughout the tournament.</p><h2 style="margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;">Royals Open Against Super Kings with New Era in Sight</h2><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Rajasthan enter IPL 2026 captained by Riyan Parag and coached by former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The franchise has a strong track record of developing elite talent: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Dhruv Jurel all came through the Royals system, and CricTracker reports their latest prospect, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, hit the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history. Several Royals players feature among the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/cricket/news/biggest-ipl-contracts">highest paid IPL players</a> in the league.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The pre-season has also seen England opener Ben Duckett withdraw from his Delhi Capitals contract, citing a need to rebuild his Test form after a difficult Ashes series in Australia.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Duckett managed just 202 runs across ten innings as England fell 4-1, and will instead play county cricket with Nottinghamshire ahead of England's home Tests against New Zealand and Pakistan. His withdrawal from a deal reportedly worth INR 2 crore could trigger a two-year BCCI ban.</p><p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">IPL 2026 opens on Saturday when Royal Challengers Bengaluru host Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, kicking off at 1:00am AEDT on Sunday March 29. Rajasthan Royals begin their campaign against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30 - 1:00am AEDT on March 31 - with Somani's consortium watching on as owners-in-waiting. You can follow all the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/cricket">cricket betting odds</a> as the season unfolds.</p>