Lakshmi Mittal Visits SMS Stadium as Rajasthan Royals Begin New Era

Lakshmi Mittal Rajasthan Royals deal came into public focus on Friday after the steel magnate visited Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium to watch the team’s practice session ahead of the IPL clash against Gujarat Titans.

India’s steel tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal made his first major appearance with Rajasthan Royals on Friday, reaching Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium to closely observe the side’s training session ahead of their upcoming IPL fixture.

Mittal, accompanied by his son, spent a significant amount of time inside the stadium as players underwent evening practice drills. His visit comes shortly after reports emerged that the Mittal family had acquired a controlling stake in the franchise in a deal estimated at around ₹15,000 crore.

Royals Camp Watches Closely

The industrialist’s arrival quickly drew attention inside the stadium, where franchise officials, support staff and spectators gathered around the Royal Box area. Current Rajasthan Royals promoter Manoj Badale was also present during the session and was seen briefing Mittal on various aspects of the franchise’s operations.

The discussions reportedly covered stadium infrastructure, match-day arrangements, player facilities and the team’s broader commercial roadmap. Sources familiar with the matter said Mittal appeared keen to understand both the cricketing and business side of the franchise in detail.

For long stretches during the practice session, Mittal and Badale stood together watching players train under the supervision of the coaching staff.

Focus On Team Setup

Those present at the stadium said the visit was not merely ceremonial. Mittal was seen carefully tracking practice routines, player movement and support staff coordination during the session.

He also interacted briefly with several members of the squad, including stand-in captain Riyan Parag and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The industrialist was also photographed greeting all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja near the training area.

Team insiders indicated that the new ownership group wants deeper involvement in long-term planning, including player development, infrastructure and global expansion of the Royals brand.

Massive Ownership Deal

The proposed acquisition has already become one of the biggest business developments in IPL history. Reports suggest the franchise valuation stands at nearly $1.65 billion, with the Mittal family expected to hold around a 75 per cent stake in Rajasthan Royals once approvals are completed.

The deal is also understood to include stakes linked to other teams in the Royals ecosystem, including Barbados Royals and Paarl Royals. Industrialist Adar Poonawalla is also expected to hold a minority stake in the setup.

Despite the ownership transition, Manoj Badale is expected to continue playing a key role in franchise operations and management.

Preparations For Gujarat Titans

The Royals squad continued intensive preparations ahead of their match against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur. Players spent extended time in the nets while bowlers rotated through separate skill sessions during the evening.

Coaching staff monitored combinations closely as the side looks to strengthen its campaign in the business end of the IPL season. Mittal’s presence added an unusual buzz around the training session, with many inside the stadium viewing it as a sign of aggressive future planning by the franchise.

New Direction Emerging

The visit to Sawai Mansingh Stadium is being viewed within cricket circles as an early indication of how actively the new ownership intends to engage with the team.

While regulatory clearances related to the deal are still awaited, Friday’s appearance gave perhaps the clearest signal yet that Rajasthan Royals are preparing for a major transition — not just financially, but structurally as well.

As practice wrapped up under lights late in the evening, Mittal continued discussions with franchise officials near the Royal Box, while players completed fitness drills on the outfield. For many around the venue, the message appeared straightforward: Rajasthan Royals may be entering a significantly different phase, both on and off the field.