Kevin Pietersen reacts to IPL team valuations after RCB and RR record deals

Former English star cricketer Kevin Pietersen reacted after the IPL teams Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were sold for record valuations.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was formed with eight teams, including RCB and RR. While RR were the lowest valued team (USD 67 million), RCB were the second highest valued team (USD 111.6 million). 

Although the IPL is now widely celebrated globally and has set a proud culture in India, as the IPL 2026 will be the 19th edition of the tournament, it didn't start smoothly. There were many Indians who were against the tournament when it began. 

Kevin Pietersen recalled that memory through his social media reaction after RCB and RR were sold for record valuations. 

See Also: Rajasthan Royals to pay ₹450 crore to Shane Warne’s family ahead of IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals and RCB sold at record valuations ahead of IPL 2026

US-based entrepreneur Kal Somani has secured the 100 percent franchise deal of Rajasthan Royals for USD 1.63 billion, approximately INR 15,300 crore.

Meanwhile, Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (ToI), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE, Blackstone) have jointly bought the 100 percent stake of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for USD 1.78 billion, about INR 16,700 crore. These have set new record valuations for the IPL franchises. 

Kevin Pietersen recalls his record-breaking RCB auction deal

Kevin Pietersen was previously the joint record-holder of the most expensive IPL player from the auction. In the IPL 2009 auction, Kevin was bought by RCB for USD 1.55 million, roughly about INR 7.5 crore, which was equal to Chennai Super Kings' English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. 

Kevin made his IPL debut in the 2009 edition, where he started as a captain. However, he left the tournament in the middle due to an injury, while later the RCB finished as the runners-up under the leadership of Anil Kumble. 

In his return to the franchise in the 2010 edition, Kevin played seven matches for RCB and scored 305 runs with an average of 61 and a strike rate of 147.34, including one century and one half-century. 

In his IPL career, while he also served for Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) and the now-defunct team Rising Pune Supergiants, he scored 1001 runs in 36 IPL matches, with one century and four half-centuries (average 37.07 and strike rate 134.72). He also picked up seven IPL wickets, including four wickets in IPL 2009.