Shane Warne’s wealth nearly doubles after Kal Somani’s Rajasthan Royals deal ahead of IPL 2026; check how
The Rajasthan Royals were sold for $1.63 billion days before IPL 2026. Shane Warne is among the rare beneficiaries of Kal Somani's deal. Four years after his death, the Australian cricketer's wealth nearly doubled.
Just days before the start of IPL 2026, the Rajasthan Royals were sold to a US-based consortium led by investor Kal Somani for $1.63 billion (around ₹15,308 crore). The sale made headlines across the cricket world. But, buried inside the story was a remarkable investment made by the late Shane Warne.
When the Australian spin magician joined the Rajasthan Royals for the inaugural IPL season in 2008, he was not just a player. He was given full control as captain, coach and mentor. In return, he negotiated a unique deal. In addition to his salary of $657,000 ( ₹6 crore at the present rate), he bagged a 0.75% ownership stake for every year he played.
Shane Warne delivered immediately, leading his squad to a fairytale title win in that very first season. Over four seasons with the franchise, his total equity stake grew to 3%. That means Shane Warne now owns $48.9 million ( ₹460 crore) after the Rajasthan Royals deal.
In 2019, the franchise was valued at around $400 million ( ₹3,756 crore at the present rate). So, Warne had about $12 million from the Royals’ share.
At that time, Warne apparently knew that the value would rise much higher. In an interview, he predicted, "3% of $400 million is all right."
What seemed like a confident boast in 2019 has turned out to be a significant underestimate. With the franchise now valued at $1.63 billion, Warne's extraordinary return will be talked about in years to come.
Shane Warne’s wealth nearly doubles
Shane Warne passed away in March 2022, leaving behind a fortune worth $20.7 million for his family. That year, Forbes valued the Royals at $1 billion.
His final will, drafted just months before his death, divided the bulk of his estate among his three children, each receiving close to $6.41 million.
If Shane Warne’s will already included his 3% stake in Rajasthan Royals, it would have been worth about $30 million at the time. After the 2026 deal, the same stake rises to $48.9 million, an increase of $18.9 million.
When this gain is measured against his reported net worth of $20.7 million, it translates to an increase of roughly 91%. In other words, the value is nearly equal to his entire reported wealth at the time of his death.
The Rajasthan Royals deal is awaiting BCCI approval, which is likely to come after the IPL 2026 season.
About the Author
Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.
Wait for it…
Oops! Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.