This has come as a big surprise, as changes in the ownership of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are happening quickly. After Adar Poonawalla showed strong interest in buying a majority stake in the IPL 2025 champions, several well-known personalities are now expected to step forward. Bollywood actors Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor are reportedly in discussions to buy minority stakes in RCB, as Diageo plans to exit the ownership by March 2026.
While there has been no official word in this context, as per reports generated by Financial Express, it has indicated that it has more to do with their interest in the consortium rather than a move by them to take over the franchises themselves. “Diageo, which has a stake in United Spirits that in turn has a majority stake in RCB, had last year notified the exchanges through a filing to the Securities Exchange Board of India regarding a review of its holding in the company,” an ET Intelligence Group report states.
It is learnt that actress Anushka Sharma is in talks to buy a three per cent stake in RCB for a deal that could end up costing her close to INR 400 Crore. She has no current association with RCB in terms of equity, while remaining a prominent side-mate of Virat Kohli throughout his years in RCB. It would thus create a commercial tie-up, if this talk fructifies, as talks are of only a time in the future, currently, Virat Kohli remains a factor of RCB valuation. But that would remain a question mark if allowed by the Board of Cricket in India.
There might be a case of conflict of interest too. Back in 2007, BCCI had banned players from acquiring any stake in an IPL franchise. As the player is synonymous with the franchise, RCB, he might actually not be able to acquire any ownership. In the current case as well, it could be the wife. So if the reports are actually correct, then there might be a case of some technicalities being done to the Kohli family.
One of the biggest names in India's acting industry and a renowned actor in his own right, Ranbir Kapoor, is also expressed to be weighing in at a 2 percent stake worth an estimated INR 300-350 crore while looking to invest in this promising company. However, in a striking difference to what was seen in Sharma's case, it is seen that Kapoor's interest stems from his successful portfolio in sports investments to begin with, when he took up an ownership position in an ISL outfit, Mumbai City FC.
This comes alongside confirmed and potential offers from some of India’s biggest business brands. The chairman of the Serum Institute of India, Mr. Adar Poonawalla, announced his bid intentions of submitting a “strong and competitive bid”. The co-founder of Zerodha Financial Services, Mr. Nikhil Kamath, and Mr. Ranjan Pai of theManipal group are reportedly mulling a possible bid through a combined consortium effort. Mr. Parth Jindal is also reportedly showing interest despite his involvement with a different IPL bid, Delhi Capitals.
The valuation of RCB is said to be in the region of close to 2 billion USD; however, that amount has a high degree of volatility. Though the brand value of RCB is higher than any in IPL, there has to be a consideration of what would happen with the impending retirement of Kohli. His presence has served as a commercial anchor of RCB since 2008.
Diageo is planning to exit its stake in United Spirits, which holds majority ownership in RCB, leading to potential new investors entering the franchise.
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