Adar Poonawalla has publicly confirmed his intention to bid for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, signalling a major escalation in the franchise’s potential sale ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Poonawalla said he would be putting in a “strong and competitive bid” for RCB over the coming months, marking the first on-record confirmation from a leading contender in the takeover race.
Poonawalla’s statement comes weeks after reports suggested his consortium was leading the race to acquire RCB from current owners Diageo. While Diageo had earlier acknowledged it was evaluating strategic options, no bidder had publicly declared intent until now.
This move effectively shifts the RCB sale narrative from speculation to an active bidding process.
What Is RCB valuation And Likely Sale Price?
RCB remain one of the most commercially powerful franchises in the IPL. According to Forbes, the league’s overall brand value stands at over $3.9 billion, with RCB consistently ranking among the top franchises in terms of brand strength and fan engagement.
The team’s maiden IPL title win in 2025 further boosted its valuation, making it a prized asset ahead of the next media rights and sponsorship cycle.
The public nature of Poonawalla’s bid is significant, as it strengthens his position amid interest from other high-profile Indian business figures. Bengaluru-based entrepreneurs, including Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath and Manipal Group chairman Ranjan Pai, were previously reported to be exploring a bid, though none have issued a public statement.
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What is Adar Poonawalla’s net worth and can he buy RCB?
Adar Poonawalla is among India’s wealthiest business figures and has the financial capacity to pursue a takeover of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
While there is no officially disclosed standalone figure for Adar Poonawalla’s personal net worth, reports from Forbes and Indian business publications estimate the Poonawalla family’s wealth to be well over USD 20 billion, largely driven by the success of the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. Adar, who has been CEO of Serum Institute since his early 30s, also controls a diversified investment portfolio spanning finance, real estate, entertainment, and technology.
In recent years, he has made high-value acquisitions and investments, including a ₹1,000 crore stake in Dharma Productions, major real-estate purchases in India and the UK, and expansion into financial services and insurance through the Poonawalla Group. These moves underline both liquidity access and appetite for marquee assets.
By going public, Poonawalla has set an early benchmark and applied pressure on rival bidders for RCB sale.
RCB’s identity has long been shaped by icons like Virat Kohli, who has been associated with the franchise since its inception in 2008. Any ownership transition is expected to have major implications for the team’s commercial strategy, branding, and long-term vision.
With Poonawalla now openly entering the race, clarity on RCB’s ownership could emerge well before IPL 2026.
