RCB Sale: Adar Poonawalla leading to takeover of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru [Exclusive]

By Vikas Singh Derek

Vikas Singh Derek has a Master's in Journalism and has written more than 50,000 articles. He currently works as a cricket content writer at Khel Now.

Published at :December 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Modified at :December 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM

RCB Sale: Adar Poonawalla leading to takeover of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru [Exclusive]

Adar Poonawalla is one of the billionaires interested in buying the Royal Challengers Bengaluru from Diageo.

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the news of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) getting sold is the talk of the town in the Indian cricket fraternity. Diageo, the multinational alcoholic beverage company and owner of RCB, is preparing to sell the franchise.

According to an exclusive report by Khel Now, the Adar Poonawalla-led consortium is leading the race to buy the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Poonawalla is the CEO of Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. According to Forbes, Poonawalla’s net worth is over $20 million.

Last month, Diageo confirmed that they was considering selling the RCB franchise. As a result, a few Bengaluru-based billionaires engaged in the race to buy the franchise.

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of brokerage firm Zerodha, and Ranjan Pai, chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), were among the other businessmen looking forward to buying the IPL 2025 champions. However, Adar Poonawalla Group is the frontrunner to be the next owner of RCB.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have the highest brand value

RCB, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL 2025 win, IPL 2026 — RCB celebrate after winning IPL 2025. (Image Source: BCCI)

According to Forbes, the IPL is the world’s richest franchise T20 league, with a brand value of over $3.9 billion. Notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have the highest brand value among the other IPL franchises at $269 million.

The franchise has been part of IPL since the maiden edition in 2008. In IPL 2025, they won their maiden title by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final. Previously, the franchise reached the final on three occasions but always ended as runners-up.

India’s batting legend Virat Kohli has been part of the franchise since the inaugural edition in 2008. He also captained the side from 2013 to 2021. Although he couldn’t win any IPL titles as captain, he has been an excellent batsman for the team and holds the record for scoring the most runs in IPL history.

Who are the owners of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru?

Diageo, a multinational alcoholic beverage company, is the owner of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Who is Adar Poonawalla?

Adar Poonawalla is the CEO of Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker.

Who won IPL 2025?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru won IPL 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final.

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Vikas Singh Derek

Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.