RCB Up for Sale: Adani, Poonawalla, Jindal Among Top Contenders in Mega Deal

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), winners of the 2025 Indian Premier League, are now up for sale. Five major contenders have shown strong interest in buying the team, with Adar Poonawalla emerging as the frontrunner. Reports suggest that the Serum Institute, led by Poonawalla, is one of the key names in the race. Others in the mix include the Adani Group led by Gautam Adani, Parth Jindal representing JSW Sports, and a well-known businessman based in Delhi.

RCB Up for Sale: Adar Poonawalla, Adani, and Others Eye $2 Billion Deal

Diageo India, which currently owns most of the company, is looking to sell some of its shares in a private deal. It's not yet clear how much the deal will be worth, but according to rumours, the Bengaluru-based team could be aiming for a valuation of at least $2 billion in the latest agreement.

"It is understood that quite a few Indian and American parties have had conversations with the Diageo management and some of them, as out in the public, are Adar Poonawala of Serum Institute and Parth Jindal of the JSW Group. The Adani Group and a famous business tycoon based out of Delhi with interests in multiple sectors are also believed to be keen on acquiring it. Apart from the four mentioned above, two private equity companies based in the US are also weighing options," Cricbuzz said in its report.

RCB Could Be Sold as Costs Rise and Diageo Loses Interest

Parth Jindal from the JSW Group already owns half of the Delhi Capitals IPL team. If he wants to buy RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore), he will first need to sell his shares in Delhi Capitals. Meanwhile, the Adani Group might finally enter the IPL by buying a team. They had almost won the bid for the Ahmedabad team in 2022, but it was given to CVC Capital instead.

It's important to note that the cost of running an IPL team keeps going up every season. At the same time, the overall value of the league has taken a hit, especially after the ban on real money gaming apps. Diageo, whose main business is in the liquor industry, doesn't seem very keen on owning an IPL team anymore. This is also one of the main reasons why they're looking to sell.

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