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Bengaluru
In a massive deal that shakes up Indian cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has a new owner. The Aditya Birla Group, along with TOI, Bolt Ventures and Blackstone, bought the IPL team for $1.78 billion (about ₹16,600 crore) on Wednesday. This is the highest price ever paid for an IPL franchise, beating the old record by a big margin.
The sale ends United Spirits’ 18-year run as RCB’s owner. United Spirits, part of Diageo, decided to sell as part of a plan to focus on its main liquor business. RCB is famous for stars like Virat Kohli and fans love the team’s jersey.
Experts say this cash boost will help RCB sign top players in future auctions. This sale shows how IPL teams are unlocking values for the franchise owners. RCB fans are buzzing on social media with huge expectations as IPL 2026 is around the corner.
