Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s future hangs in balance as Adar Poonawalla, the billionaire head of Serum Institute of India, openly expresses his ambition to buy the IPL champions. With IPL 2026 on the horizon, whispers of a franchise sale have evolved into concrete interest from high-profile suitors.
Taking to X on Thursday, Poonawalla announced, ‘I’m gearing up to submit a robust, competitive offer for RCB soon. One of the league’s top teams deserves the best.’ This move reignites discussions sparked by RCB’s fairy-tale 2025 IPL victory—their first after nearly two decades of near-misses.
Under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, RCB overcame Punjab Kings in the final to end a 17-season drought. Joy quickly turned to sorrow during the victory celebrations at Chinnaswamy Stadium, where an unprecedented crowd of around 300,000 led to a deadly stampede. Eleven fans lost their lives, and dozens were hurt, prompting scrutiny over event management and amplifying calls for a leadership shake-up.
Previous sale talks fizzled out, but RCB’s title pedigree, loyal supporters, and the post-win fallout have made ownership transition more plausible. Joining Poonawalla in the race is Homble Films, the studio famous for Kantara and KGF, owned by Vijay Kiragandur.
As RCB stands as the reigning champions, the potential infusion of fresh capital from pharma or entertainment moguls could redefine their trajectory. Fans and analysts alike are bracing for what could be the IPL’s most watched off-season drama.