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The anticipation surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 ownership shuffle has reached a fever pitch following a major announcement from one of India’s most prominent business figures. On January 22, billionaire vaccine mogul officially ended months of speculation by revealing exactly which franchise he intends to bring under his corporate umbrella. This revelation comes at a transformative time for the league, as the defending champions are currently undergoing a strategic review that could lead to the most expensive team sale in sporting history. With the 2026 season scheduled to begin on March 26, the timing of this announcement has sent shockwaves through the cricketing and financial worlds alike.
IP[L 2026: Billionaire confirms ‘strong and competitive’ bid for RCB
In a definitive post on his official X handle, Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, confirmed that he will be bidding for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Poonawalla described RCB as ‘one of the best teams in the IPL,’ marking the first time he has explicitly committed to a formal bidding process after months of cryptic hints.
While the corporate czar did not disclose the specific financial details or the exact timeline for the bid, he emphasized that the offer would be ‘strong and competitive,’ signaling his intent to outmaneuver other potential high-net-worth suitors. His interest in the franchise is rooted in its massive global footprint and its recent on-field success, having secured the IPL 2025 title just months ago.
Multiple reports suggest that Poonawalla’s move is a strategic attempt to diversify his portfolio into marquee consumer-facing brands, following his recent acquisition of a significant stake in Dharma Productions. By targeting RCB, he is looking to acquire a ‘triple-crown’ asset that includes a championship-winning men’s team, a successful women’s team (WPL 2024 champions), and the most marketable player in cricket history, Virat Kohli.
“Over the next few months, will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for @RCBTweets, one of the best teams in the IPL.” Adar Poonawalla wrote on X.
Over the next few months, will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for , one of the best teams in the IPL.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla)
The strategic sale of the Defending IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
The path for Poonawalla’s bid was cleared when Diageo, the global beverage giant and current owner of RCB, initiated a ‘strategic review’ of its investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL). In a filing with SEBI, the company confirmed its intent to complete this review by March 31, 2026, which effectively places the franchise on the market at the peak of its valuation.
This decision to divest is reportedly driven by Diageo’s desire to focus on its ‘core alcobev business’ and follows the tragic stampede in Bengaluru during the team’s 2025 victory parade, which claimed 11 lives and raised significant operational concerns. Currently, RCB are valued at approximately $269 million (₹2,390 crore) according to the latest brand studies, but some reports, including Hindustan Times, suggest the final sale price could soar as high as $1.2 billion given the team’s status as defending champions.
The sale is being managed by Citibank, and it is expected to set a new ‘floor price’ for all future IPL team valuations, potentially surpassing the record set by the Lucknow Super Giants. For fans, the potential transition from Diageo to a passionate local billionaire like Poonawalla offers hope for a more stable and locally-invested management structure as the team enters the 2026 season.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Are KGF and Kantara creators Hombale Films planning to buy RCB? Here’s what we know so far
