New Delhi, March 25: The Aditya Birla Group, in partnership with the Times of India Group, has successfully acquired the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for $1.78 billion (approximately ₹16,725 crores).
According to a news report from ‘Cricbuzz’, the consortium also includes Bolt Ventures and Blackstone’s Perpetual Private Equity Strategy (BXPE). Together, they have secured the purchase of RCB, one of the eight original franchises established before the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008.
The report claims that this consortium has reached a definitive agreement with Diageo PLC’s subsidiary, United Spirits Limited (USL), to acquire 100% ownership of RCB. This deal encompasses both men’s and women’s teams in the IPL and WPL.
Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla from the Aditya Birla Group will assume the role of chairman, while Satyan Gajwani from the Times of India Group will serve as vice-chairman. The consortium also includes David Blitzer, founder of Bolt Ventures, and Viral Patel, CEO of BXPE.
This acquisition is contingent upon approvals from regulatory bodies, as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the governing bodies of the IPL and WPL.
Diageo PLC had put RCB up for sale a few months ago, attracting interest from several potential buyers, including Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India.
RCB is the first and only franchise to hold titles in both the IPL and WPL simultaneously. The men’s team won its first IPL title in 2025, followed by the women’s team claiming its second WPL title in February 2026.
The RCB franchise was initially acquired through a bidding process by former liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who included young star Virat Kohli as an ‘icon player.’ Diageo PLC took control of the RCB franchise after acquiring United Spirits from Mallya.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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