The Rajasthan Royals, an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has come under scrutiny following its takeover by the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla for $1.65 billion. The acquisition, finalized on May 3, 2026, replaced a consortium led by US entrepreneur Kal Somani, which claims it was unfairly rejected due to alleged funding issues. In a statement, the Somani-led group expressed 'deep disappointment' over being excluded from the process, asserting that they were the 'lead bid from start to finish' and were fully funded. They challenged reports suggesting financial shortcomings and accused the Rajasthan Royals management of not providing a 'level playing field'. The consortium emphasized their commitment to transparency and integrity throughout the bidding process. The fallout from this controversy raises the possibility of legal challenges that could impact the Mittal-Poonawalla acquisition, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny in high-stakes transactions within the sports industry.