RCB Ownership Battle: Top Contenders Emerge
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise is attracting significant interest as Diageo prepares to sell the IPL champion team. Alongside six corporate bidders, two notable individuals have entered the race to acquire stakes in RCB.
Key Local Bidders
- Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha and a Bengaluru-based billionaire
- Ranjan Pai, chairman of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, also from Bengaluru
Both Kannadigas are well-funded and capable of bidding for a team valued at over a billion dollars. A consortium with a local face could better connect with RCB’s passionate fanbase and gain support from Bengaluru’s political and social leaders.
Sale Confirmation and Early Signals
Diageo officially confirmed on November 5, 2025, the initiation of the sale process for RCB. However, early indications came from Adar Poonawalla’s social media post on October 1, hinting at the sale.
“At the right valuation, @RCBTweets is a great team…” — Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla), October 1, 2025
Adar Poonawalla’s Profile
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India—the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer—comes from a family with an estimated net worth of over $20 billion, according to Forbes.
Summary
Local billionaires Nikhil Kamath and Ranjan Pai join Adar Poonawalla among prominent contenders to buy the IPL’s defending champion RCB as Diageo initiates the sale.
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