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Adar Poonawalla to Bid for IPL's RCB, Vows "Strong and Competitive" Offer

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has publicly announced his intention to submit a strong bid for the Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This comes as current owner Diageo conducts a strategic review of its investment in RCB, with the process expected to conclude by the end of March. RCB, one of the league's most popular teams, recently secured the IPL title in 2025 after winning the Women's Premier League in 2024. The franchise was originally purchased in 2007 by Vijay Mallya before Diageo became the sole owner.

Key Points: SII's Adar Poonawalla Announces Bid for RCB Franchise

  • SII CEO announces RCB bid
  • Diageo conducting strategic review
  • RCB won 2025 IPL title
  • Franchise sale process underway
  • Review to be completed by March 31
2 min read

"Will put in a strong, competitive bid": SII CEO Adar Poonawalla announces plan to bid for RCB

Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla plans a competitive bid for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as Diageo reviews its stake in the IPL franchise.

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

New Delhi, January 22

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawala on Thursday announced the decision to bid for the defending champions of the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

RCB were officially put on sale following their title win in the 2025 season. Diageo, the owner of the IPL and Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise RCB, last year in November, said it is conducting a "strategic review" of its investment in the franchise through Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), the parent company owning both sides, taking first steps towards divesting its stake in the franchise.

Taking to his X account, Poonawala wrote, "Over the next few months, will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for @RCBTweets, one of the best teams in the IPL."

As per ESPNCricinfo, in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) last year, Diageo said it was conducting a "strategic review" of its investment in the franchise, which is expected to be completed by March 31 this year.

RCSPL is a fully owned subsidiary of United Spirits Ltd, which is owned by Diageo. The Red and Gold franchise has had two outstanding years in the past, winning the WPL title in 2024 and securing the IPL title in 2025, defeating the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final.

RCB is among the most popular IPL franchises, primarily due to its marquee player, Indian legend Virat Kohli, and foreign stars like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf Du Plessis, who have played for the franchise over the years.

When the tournament was launched in 2008, RCB was the second-most expensive franchise. Vijay Mallya, the then chairman of United Spirits, brought the franchise for 111.6 million US Dollars way back in 2007. He stepped down as the director of RCSPL in 2016, with Diageo becoming the sole owner of the company.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a lifelong RCB fan, I'm cautiously optimistic. New ownership could mean fresh ideas and investment. But I really hope the soul of the team isn't lost. The connection with Bengaluru and the fans is everything. Please don't make it just another corporate asset.
R
Rohit P
Interesting move from the Vaccine King! His bid will surely be strong. But let's be honest, the real challenge isn't buying the team, it's managing it better than the previous owners. The team needs a solid long-term strategy, not just star power.
S
Sarah B
From an outsider's perspective (I follow the IPL from the UK), this seems like a natural fit. A major Indian industrialist taking over a flagship sports brand. It could really elevate RCB's global profile even further.
V
Vikram M
First thought: Will this affect Virat Kohli's role? He's the heart of RCB. Any new owner's first priority should be to ensure Virat retires as a one-franchise player. That's non-negotiable for the fans.
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Kavya N
I respect Mr. Poonawalla immensely for his work with SII, but I hope the bidding process is transparent. These franchises are cultural institutions. The sale should benefit the sport's ecosystem in India, not just the high-net-worth individuals involved.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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