US consortium sues Rajasthan Royals over collapsed $1.65bn ownership deal

A US-based consortium has filed legal claims against Rajasthan Royals after their $1.65 billion ownership deal collapsed. The group accused the franchise of delays and incomplete documentation that allowed existing owner Manoj Badale to stay in control, according to News18.

The dispute lands in court as IPL franchise valuations keep climbing. Reports had tied the consortium to Lakshmi Mittal and Adar Poonawalla acquiring the team at a 75 percent and 25 percent split, with sister franchises Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals included — pending Q3 2026 approvals. But the US claim now overrides those prior agreements.

Meanwhile, RR lost by seven wickets to Delhi Capitals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. DC chased down 226 after RR posted 225 for 6. The team fielded young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, but the off-field fight has already become bigger than what happens on the pitch.