The buzz around Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) refuses to fade even after their girl Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025. Months after lifting the long-awaited trophy, RCB’s parent company, Diageo Great Britainhas reportedly begun formal sales discussions for the franchise.
The beverage giant, which owns RCB through its Indian subsidiary United mindshas engaged investment banks, including Citito facilitate the deal. The franchise is valued at approximately $2 billion early reports from Cricbuzz suggest that six interested parties have entered the race. Although RCB’s local management is said to be resistant to the idea, Diageo’s UK headquarters appear set to offload the team as part of a wider strategic shift away from non-core assets.
IPL 2026: Indian heavyweights eyeing RCB crown
1. Adar Poonawalla (Serum Institute of India)
According to Cricbuzz, CEO of the Serum Institute Adar Poonawalla has emerged as one of the leading names in the race to take over RCB. Poonawalla recently took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and stated that “RCB is a great team… at the right valuation,” This suggests he may be in talks with a US-based private equity fund for a joint bid. The Poonawalla family has previously investigated the ownership of the IPL team, Adar’s father, Cyrus Poonawallahad expressed interest in 2010 when two new teams were introduced Lalit Modi. With Adar’s vast business empire and global network, his entry could bring financial stability, innovation and an ambitious long-term vision to the RCB brand.
2. Parth Jindal (JSW group)
The JSW groupled by Parth Jindalis another high-profile candidate, according to the Cricbuzz report. However, regulatory challenges could complicate the bid as JSW is currently a co-owner Capitals of Delhi alongside the GMR Group (each with 50% of the shares). The BCCI’s cross-ownership rules prohibit involvement in multiple IPL franchises, meaning JSW would reportedly have to leave the DC entirely to pursue RCB. If Jindal can overcome that hurdle, JSW’s extensive sports portfolio, which includes Delhi Capitals (IPL) and Bengaluru FC (ISL), positions the group as a natural candidate to take over one of India’s most iconic cricket franchises.
3. Adani Group
The Adani Group, led by Gautam Adanihas long been associated with IPL franchise ownership. As reported by Cricbuzz, Adani narrowly missed out on taking over the Ahmedabad franchise in 2022, which was eventually awarded to the Gujarat titans. Adani Sportsline already manages the Gujarat Giants in the Premier League Women (WPL) and manages teams in the UAE ILT20, demonstrating a strong position in global cricket operations. With unparalleled financial resources and a robust sports management structure, Adani Group is considered one of the most credible bidders, fully capable of matching RCB’s valuation of US$2 billion.
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IPL2026: Global bidders and domestic tycoons are joining the race
4. Billionaire from Delhi (name not disclosed)
Cricbuzz has also highlighted the interest of a Delhi-based billionaire with business interests across multiple sectors including infrastructure, media and finance. While their identities are not made public, sources suggest that this industrialist has been eyeing IPL properties for years. The addition of a politically influential and financially robust player from Delhi could make the bidding landscape more competitive, bringing a mix of domestic wealth and strategic influence to the negotiating table.
5 & 6. Two US-based private equity firms
According to Cricbuzz, two US-based private equity firms are also exploring potential acquisitions or partnerships for the RCB deal. These companies are reportedly analyzing IPL’s thriving financial ecosystem, especially its growth in media rights and growing digital reach. The merged JioStar platform, with over 500 million subscribers, has strengthened the IPL’s global viewer base, making it an attractive investment opportunity for foreign funds. Analysts predict that even a nominal ₹100 per month subscription model for IPL content could generate around ₹20,000 crore in digital revenue annually, excluding advertising revenue. This huge commercial advantage explains the strong interest of American investors in a franchise like RCB, one of the most followed and marketable teams in global cricket.
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