Adar Poonawalla, the well-known CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), has recently expressed his interest in acquiring the Royal Challengers of Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. In a tweet, Poonawalla confirmed that he and his team will be submitting a competitive bid to purchase the Bengaluru-based team, which he considers one of the best in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
SII, under Poonawalla’s leadership, played a crucial role in developing the Covishield vaccine in India during the pandemic. The company’s success in the healthcare sector has now sparked their interest in venturing into the realm of sports by potentially acquiring RCB.
RCB is a prominent team in the IPL, boasting both men’s and women’s teams in the IPL and Women’s Premier League (WPL) respectively. The men’s team is the reigning champion after securing their first-ever title in 2025 by defeating the Punjab Kings in the final. On the other hand, the women’s team triumphed in the second edition of the WPL in 2024.
The need for a new owner for RCB arose following a tragic incident outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where 11 fans lost their lives. Currently, United Spirits Limited, an Indian subsidiary of the global beverage company Diageo, holds ownership of the franchise.
The existing owner of RCB has announced their intention to sell the team by March 31, 2026. United Spirits Limited disclosed this information in a letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), stating their strategic review of the investment in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL).
According to data from Brand Finance, RCB is the second-highest valued franchise in the IPL, with a valuation of $105 million, trailing only the Mumbai Indians. Other top-valued teams include the Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Gujarat Titans.
As the process unfolds, Adar Poonawalla and SII are gearing up to make a substantial bid for RCB, adding an exciting twist to the future of the franchise. Stay tuned for more updates on this potential acquisition and its impact on the IPL landscape.
