Royal Challengers Bengaluru / Virat Kohli's team is up for sale, will Adani be the new owner of RCB?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Big news has emerged regarding the current Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Former IPL boss Lalit Modi has claimed in a social media post that RCB could soon be sold. According to him, current owner Diageo PLC has decided to remove the franchise from its balance sheet and is in talks with global funds and sovereign funds. It is estimated that RCB's valuation could break all IPL records. There is also strong speculation that Gautam Adani, Asia's second-richest businessman, may be interested in purchasing the franchise. Let's take a look at the various aspects of this news.

Search for a New Owner

2025 has been a significant year for RCB, encompassing both joy and tragedy. Earlier this year, RCB made history by winning its first IPL title, but the celebration soon turned into tragedy when a stampede during the title celebrations in Bengaluru killed 11 people and injured several others. Now, Lalit Modi's latest claim has added a new twist. In a lengthy social media post, he stated that Diageo PLC has made a final decision to sell the franchise and has begun looking for potential buyers.

Modi wrote, "With winning the IPL last season, a strong fan base, a fantastic team, and excellent management, RCB may be the only franchise that will be fully available for sale. I am sure a large global fund or sovereign fund will be interested in purchasing it."

Rumors have surfaced before

This isn't the first time rumors of RCB's sale have made headlines. Earlier this year, several media reports claimed that Diageo PLC was in talks with potential investors. These rumors were denied at the time, but Lalit Modi's latest statement has reignited the speculation. Modi stated in his post, "These rumors were dismissed for a long time, but now it seems the owners have made a final decision to sell."

Will Gautam Adani Buy RCB?

Reports are also circulating that Gautam Adani, Asia's second-richest businessman, may be interested in acquiring RCB. The Adani Group has already attempted to enter the IPL twice. In 2021, they narrowly missed out on acquiring the Gujarat Titans, and later, the Torrent Group outbid the team and acquired a majority stake in the team. Now, the news of RCB's sale has opened up a new opportunity for Adani.

If the Adani Group succeeds in acquiring RCB, it could open a new chapter in the IPL. In particular, the clash between Adani's RCB and Mukesh Ambani-owned Mumbai Indians could be a thrilling contest, not only on the field but also in terms of business rivalry.

RCB's Valuation and Future

According to Lalit Modi's claims, RCB's valuation could be the largest deal in IPL history. Its strong fan base, the presence of star players, and its recent IPL title have further boosted its value. Experts believe that if a sovereign fund or global fund participates in the deal, the valuation could break all records.

While it's unclear when the deal will be completed and which group or investor will acquire RCB, it's certain that this news will continue to be a topic of discussion among IPL and cricket fans.