The Indian Premier League (IPL) is bracing for a massive shake-up as Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, has officially expressed his interest in purchasing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
This potential takeover comes at a time when the franchise is enjoying its most successful era on the cricket pitch.
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Taking to social media platform X, the 45-year-old billionaire (Adar Poonawalla) confirmed his intentions to join the IPL ecosystem. “Over the next few months, will be putting in a strong and competitive bid for RCB, one of the best teams in the IPL,” Adar Poonawalla posted on Thursday. This isn’t a sudden move; back in October 2023, he had already hinted that at the “right price,” RCB would be a “great” investment.
Why is RCB Up for Sale?
The current owner, Diageo—a multinational alcoholic beverage giant—is looking to move on. In a filing with SEBI, Diageo revealed it is conducting a “strategic review” of its investment through Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited. This review, which covers both the men’s and women’s teams, is expected to conclude by March 31, 2026.
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RCB has come a long way since 2008, when it was bought for USD 111.6 million. Today, it stands as a global sporting brand with a trophy cabinet to match.
The timing of Adar Poonawalla’s interest coincides with RCB’s peak performance:
- Men’s Team: Won their maiden IPLÂ title in 2025 and are the defending champions for the 2026 season.
- Women’s Team: Won the WPL in 2024 and currently lead the 2026 points table.
However, the transition isn’t without hurdles. Uncertainty remains over RCB’s home ground for 2026. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is under scrutiny following a tragic stampede during last June’s victory celebrations, leaving the team’s home-base status in limbo.