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Adar Poonawalla to Make Strong Bid for IPL Champions RCB Ownership

Pharma magnate Adar Poonawalla has publicly declared his intention to submit a strong bid to acquire the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL franchise. The team's current owner, Diageo, initiated the sale process last year following a tragic stampede after RCB's 2025 title win. RCB is also considering moving its home matches away from Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the 2026 season. Other potential bidders include Vijay Kiragandur's Hombale Films, though no official statement has been made.

Key Points: Adar Poonawalla Bids for RCB Ownership | IPL Franchise Sale

  • Adar Poonawalla announces RCB bid
  • Diageo selling franchise valued at ~$105M
  • RCB may shift home venues from Bengaluru
  • Hombale Films also in contention
2 min read

Poonawalla announces plans for making 'strong and competitive' bid for RCB's ownership

Pharma tycoon Adar Poonawalla announces a competitive bid to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL team as Diageo puts the franchise up for sale.

"Over the next few months, we will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for RCB - Adar Poonawalla"

New Delhi, Jan 22

Pharma tycoon Adar Poonawalla said he will make a 'strong and competitive' bid for securing the ownership of the reigning champions of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

"Over the next few months, we will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for RCB, one of the best teams in the IPL," Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of Pune-based vaccine-maker Serum Institute of India (SII) and Chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp, wrote in a post on his official 'X' handle on Thursday.

London-based Diageo, the parent company of United Spirits Ltd, began efforts in November last year to sell the team, valued at around 105 million USD. The move was accelerated after a stampede during RCB's IPL victory celebrations outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in June 2025 killed 11 fans.

Praveen Someshwar, Managing Director & CEO of United Spirits Ltd, had said: "RCSPL has been a valuable and strategic asset for USL, however it's non-core to our alcohol business. This step reinforces USL's and Diageo's commitment to continue reviewing its India enterprise portfolio to enable sustained delivery of long-term value to all its stakeholders, while keeping RCSPL's best interest in mind."

RCB, who won their maiden IPL title last season, are also weighing options to shift home matches away from Bengaluru for the 2026 campaign, with the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur in discussions to host their home fixtures.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association has urged the team to retain the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as their home venue for the IPL. Apart from Poonawalla, film production house Hombale Films, owned by Vijay Kiragandur, is also in contention to acquire the franchise, though no official statement has been issued by them.

RCB is one of the original franchises of the Indian Premier League, having been part of the league since 2008, with legendary players Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble, and AB de Villiers associated with it over the years.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting move from a pharma giant. Hope the focus remains on cricket and building a strong team, not just business. The tragic stampede last year should make any new owner prioritize fan safety above all else.
V
Vikram M
As a long-time RCB fan, I have mixed feelings. New Indian ownership is good, but shifting home matches? That's a betrayal to Karnataka fans. KSCA is right to urge them to stay. The team's identity is linked to Bengaluru.
R
Rohit P
Hombale Films vs Poonawalla! This is getting exciting. Maybe Vijay Kirgandur can bring some 'KGF' style drama to the team management 😄. Jokes aside, hope the best bid wins for the future of RCB.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I hope the bidding process is transparent. The article mentions the stampede as a reason for the accelerated sale. It feels a bit like the parent company is exiting after a tragedy, which doesn't sit right. The new owner must have a stronger moral compass.
A
Aditya G
Finally, we might see an Indian owner for RCB! Foreign ownership never really understood the passion. Poonawalla has done great work with Serum Institute. Can he build a legacy in cricket too? All the best to him!

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