The excitement round Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) refuses to fade, even after their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025. Months after lifting the long-awaited trophy, RCB’s mother or father firm, Diageo Nice Britain, has reportedly begun formal sale discussions for the franchise.
The liquor big, which owns RCB via their Indian subsidiary United Spirits, has engaged funding banks, together with Citi, to facilitate the deal. The franchise is valued at roughly USD 2 billion, and early stories from Cricbuzz recommend that six events have entered the race. Whereas RCB’s native administration is claimed to be proof against the concept, Diageo’s UK headquarters appears intent on offloading the staff as a part of a broader strategic shift away from non-core property.
IPL 2026: Indian heavyweights eyeing the RCB crown
1. Adar Poonawalla (Serum Institute of India)
In response to Cricbuzz, Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla has emerged as one of many main names within the race to accumulate RCB. Poonawalla just lately took to social media platform X (previously Twitter), stating that “RCB is a great team… at the right valuation,” hinting that he could also be in talks with a U.S.-based personal fairness fund for a joint bid. The Poonawalla household has beforehand explored IPL staff possession, Adar’s father, Cyrus Poonawalla, had proven curiosity in 2010 when two new groups have been launched below Lalit Modi. With Adar’s huge enterprise empire and international community, his entry might convey monetary stability, innovation, and an formidable long-term imaginative and prescient for the RCB model.
2. Parth Jindal (JSW Group)
The JSW Group, spearheaded by Parth Jindal, is one other high-profile contender, per the Cricbuzz report. Nonetheless, regulatory challenges might complicate the bid, as JSW at present co-owns Delhi Capitals alongside the GMR Group (every holding 50% stakes). The BCCI’s cross-ownership rules prohibit involvement in a number of IPL franchises, that means JSW would reportedly have to exit the DC fully to pursue RCB. If Jindal navigates that hurdle, JSW’s intensive sports activities portfolio, together with Delhi Capitals (IPL) and Bengaluru FC (ISL), positions the group as a pure match to take over certainly one of India’s most iconic cricket franchises.
3. Adani Group
The Adani Group, led by Gautam Adani, has been lengthy linked with IPL franchise possession. As reported by Cricbuzz, Adani narrowly missed out on buying the Ahmedabad franchise in 2022, which was finally awarded to the Gujarat Titans. Adani Sportsline already manages the Gujarat Giants within the Ladies’s Premier League (WPL) and operates groups within the UAE’s ILT20, demonstrating a powerful foothold in international cricket operations. With unmatched monetary assets and a strong sports activities administration construction, Adani Group is taken into account one of the vital credible bidders, totally able to matching RCB’s USD 2 billion valuation.
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IPL 2026: International bidders and home tycoons be a part of the race
4. Delhi-Based mostly Billionaire (Identify undisclosed)
Cricbuzz has additionally highlighted the curiosity of a Delhi-based billionaire with multi-sector enterprise pursuits spanning infrastructure, media, and finance. Though their identification stays undisclosed, sources recommend this industrialist has been eyeing IPL possession for years. The addition of a politically influential and financially strong Delhi-based participant might make the bidding panorama extra aggressive, introducing a mixture of home wealth and strategic clout to the negotiation desk.
5 & 6. Two U.S.-based personal fairness companies
As per Cricbuzz, two U.S.-based personal fairness companies are additionally exploring potential acquisitions or partnerships for the RCB deal. These companies are reportedly analyzing IPL’s booming monetary ecosystem, significantly its media rights development and increasing digital attain. The merged JioStar platform, with over 500 million subscribers, has strengthened the IPL’s international viewership base, making it an interesting funding alternative for abroad funds. Analysts mission that even a nominal ₹100 per 30 days subscription mannequin for IPL content material might generate round ₹20,000 crore yearly in digital income, excluding promoting earnings. This large industrial upside explains the U.S. buyers’ eager curiosity in a franchise like RCB, one of the vital adopted and marketable groups in international cricket.
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