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Speculation swirls around Rajasthan Royals potentially changing hands before the IPL 2026 auction, fueled by a recent viral social media post from industrialist Harsh Goenka, brother of Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka.
The 2008 IPL champions, mirroring Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s open pursuit of buyers at a USD 2 billion valuation, have stayed silent on any sale, yet reports highlight internal resets including a blockbuster player trade. This comes amid soaring franchise valuations, drawing interest from buyers in Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and the USA.
I hear, not one, but two IPL teams are now up for sale- RCB and RR. It seems clear that people want to cash in the rich valuations today. So two teams for sale and 4/5 possible buyers! Who will be the successful buyers- will it be from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru or USA?
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka)
Rajasthan Royals trade Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings for a whopping deal
The Royals traded longtime captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings for INR 18 crore, acquiring Ravindra Jadeja at INR 14 crore and Sam Curran at INR 2.4 crore in return, signalling a strategic overhaul. Owner Manoj Badale described Samson as emotionally drained after 11 seasons and over 4,000 runs, praising his off-field contributions while welcoming Jadeja’s homecoming from the 2008 title-winning squad. These moves coincide with backroom staff changes and venue explorations, as tensions with the Rajasthan Cricket Association prompt talks for Pune’s MCA Stadium, potentially hosting at least four home games.
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Ownership turmoil and legal battles intensify
Royals Sports Group, via Emerging Media Sporting Holdings Limited led by Badale, controls 65% of the franchise, with minority stakes held by Lachlan Murdoch (13%) and RedBird Capital Partners (15%), the latter linked to Liverpool FC, AC Milanand FC Toulouse. RedBird’s 2022 entry valued the team at USD 250 million, underscoring global appeal amid IPL’s growth. Badale remains hands-on in daily operations despite the buzz.
Complicating matters, former co-owner Raj Kundra, once holding shares with wife Shilpa Shetty Kundra, filed a petition at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) accusing partners of coercing him out post-2015 betting scandal links. Kundra claims illegal 2015 share transfers worth over Rs 1,000 crore without consent, undervalued 2019 settlements, fund diversions, and record manipulations, with the next hearing set for January 5. This echoes the franchise’s 2013 two-year suspension, testing stability as IPL 2026 looms.
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