Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could soon see a major ownership change, with billionaire tycoon Adar Poonawalla emerging as the leading contender to buy the IPL franchise. Poonawalla recently hinted at a strong and competitive bid, reigniting discussions around what could become the most expensive franchise sale in IPL history.
According to reports, United Spirits, the current owners of RCB, are seeking close to $2 billion for the franchise. In Indian currency, that valuation exceeds ₹18,000 crore, a figure that would comfortably surpass the previous IPL ownership record.
For comparison, the RPSG Group bought the Lucknow Super Giants in 2021 for approximately ₹7,100 crore. If RCB is sold at the reported valuation, it would more than double that benchmark and reset IPL franchise valuations altogether.
Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, is among the few individuals with the financial muscle to execute a deal of this scale. Serum Institute is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer and an unlisted entity with an estimated valuation of ₹2.3 lakh crore.
In addition to this, Poonawalla is also the Chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp, a listed non-banking financial company with a market capitalisation exceeding ₹32,000 crore. These numbers place him in a rare category of Indian business leaders capable of acquiring an IPL franchise valued at ₹18,000 crore.
Importantly, this isn’t the first time Poonawalla has expressed interest in RCB. As far back as October 2025, he publicly stated that RCB is a great team at the right valuation, signalling long-term intent rather than a sudden move.
RCB are one of the IPL’s most iconic franchises, boasting a massive global fanbase and star players over the years. A change in ownership could usher in a new era of investment, infrastructure development, and long-term planning.
If the deal goes through, RCB would not only become the most expensive IPL franchise ever, but also one backed by one of India’s most powerful business empires.
While no official confirmation has been made, all signs point towards Adar Poonawalla being the front-runner in the race. With funds clearly not an issue, the focus now shifts to valuation, negotiations, and timing.
Should the deal be finalised, it would mark a historic moment for the IPL, redefining the scale and economics of franchise ownership in Indian cricket.
