India, March 25 -- 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.

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 p...