Shane Warne’s bold Rajasthan Royals bet turns golden as miniscule 0.75% stake explodes into INR 460 crore jackpot

Beyond the staggering valuation of Rajasthan Royals, what truly caught the imagination was the masterstroke investment made by the late Shane Warne.

Updated on: Mar 25, 2026, 09:05:56 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Less than a week before the start of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the sale of franchises such as Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at record valuations grabbed headlines. Rajasthan, one of the least expensive teams among the original eight franchises, was sold to a US-based consortium led by Kal Somani for USD 1.63 billion (approximately INR 15,290 crore). But beyond the staggering valuation, what truly caught the imagination was the masterstroke investment made by the late Shane Warne.

Shane Warne was part of RR in the first four IPL seasons

Warne had retired from international cricket after Australia’s 2006–07 Ashes triumph. Two years later, he returned to the field in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, joining Rajasthan not just as a player but as captain and mentor. The franchise entrusted him with complete control over cricketing operations, a rare move at the time.

ALSO READ: Rajasthan Royals become first IPL team to be sold for more than USD 1 billion, Kal Somani-led consortium buys franchise

In return, Warne negotiated a unique deal. According to reports, he was paid USD 657,000 and granted a 0.75% ownership stake for every year he played.

“Part of my deal… they asked me to be the captain, coach and run a cricket team the way I wanted… I was the one-stop shop,” Warne had said in an interview with The Herald Sun.

The Australian legend repaid that faith instantly, leading a relatively unheralded squad to a fairytale title win in the inaugural season—arguably one of the greatest triumphs in IPL history.

Warne spent four seasons with Rajasthan, taking his total equity stake to 3%.

At the time of the 2019 interview, the franchise’s valuation was around USD 400 million. Warne had famously remarked: “Three per cent of USD 400 million is all right,” predicting that the value would rise further.

That prediction has aged spectacularly well.

With the latest sale valuing Rajasthan at USD 1.63 billion, Warne’s 3% stake is now worth approximately INR 450–460 crore, an extraordinary return on what was, at the time, a relatively unconventional investment decision.

The transaction, subject to approval by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will take effect after the 2026 IPL season. The franchise was originally purchased for just USD 67 million in 2008 by Emerging Media, led by Manoj Badale.

More than just a financial windfall, Warne’s investment stands as a testament to his vision, one that continues to benefit his legacy and family even years after his untimely passing in 2022.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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