RCB's ownership talks heat up: Key details

When Adar Poonawalla publicly said he would place a "strong and competitive bid" for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), it immediately moved speculation

around the IPL franchise from rumour to reality. Poonawalla is not a conventional sports investor, but his interest carries weight because of who he is, what he runs, and the timing of RCB's uncertain ownership future.

On Thursday, Poonawalla posted on X that he intends to bid for RCB over the next few months, calling it "one of the best teams in the IPL. " It was not his first public comment on the subject. In October last year, he had already suggested that RCB would be an attractive acquisition "at the right price. "

Those remarks now align with developments on the ownership side. RCB is currently owned by Diageo, the multinational beverage company, through Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited. In November 2025, Diageo informed India's market regulator that it was conducting a strategic review of its investment in the franchise, a process expected to conclude by March 31, 2026. While Diageo has not confirmed a sale, the review has opened the door for serious suitors.

RCB's profile makes it especially attractive. Bought for USD 111.6 million in 2008, the second-most expensive IPL franchise at the time, the men's team finally won its maiden IPL title in 2025, while the women's side lifted the WPL trophy in 2024 and currently leads the 2026 standings.

However, there is also uncertainty. The franchise's home venue, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, remains under scrutiny following the stampede during RCB's title celebrations last June that claimed 11 lives. Where RCB will play its home games in IPL 2026 is still unresolved, a factor any potential buyer will have to weigh.

Who is Adar Poonawalla?

Adar Poonawalla is best known as the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume. Founded in 1966 by his father Cyrus Poonawalla, the Pune-based company produces over a billion vaccine doses annually and supplies more than 170 countries.

After joining the business in 2001, Poonawalla took charge as CEO in 2011, steering the company toward global scale and affordability-focused vaccine production. Serum played a central role in COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing and distribution, particularly for low- and middle-income nations, a period that also thrust Poonawalla into the global spotlight.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, he is the chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp, a rapidly expanding non-banking financial company, and has diversified into media and entertainment, including acquiring a significant stake in Dharma Productions in 2024. His business profile combines long-term institutional thinking with selective, high-impact investments.

Why would RCB fit his portfolio?

An IPL franchise like RCB represents more than sporting success. It is a media, brand, and community asset with year-round commercial value. For Poonawalla, whose businesses span healthcare, finance, philanthropy, and now entertainment, sport offers visibility, scale, and cultural influence.

RCB's loyal fanbase, recent on-field success, and strong women's team ecosystem make it a franchise with upside despite its operational challenges. If Diageo does move toward divestment, Poonawalla's public interest positions him as one of the few bidders with the capital, appetite, and profile to take over.

For now, nothing is final. But Poonawalla's statement has clarified one thing: if RCB is indeed put up for sale, one of India's most influential industrialists intends to be firmly in the race.