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After RCB’s ownership officially goes on sale, Bengaluru’s top business figures, Nikhil Kamath and Ranjan Pai, along with Adar Poonawalla, are emerging as likely contenders to acquire the billion-dollar IPL franchise.
A day after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was officially put up for sale, talks of potential bidders have gathered steam. Prominent Bengaluru-based billionaires Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, and Ranjan Pai, chairman of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, have surfaced as key names reportedly interested in acquiring the IPL franchise.
According to reports, both Kamath and Pai, being local business leaders with deep roots in Karnataka, are seen as ideal buyers who can strengthen RCB’s connection with its passionate Bengaluru fanbase. Industry insiders suggest that any consortium bidding for the team would prefer local representation to ensure smoother relations with the state’s political, corporate, and social circles.
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Adding more intrigue to the ownership race, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, has also shown interest. In an earlier post on X dated October 1, he hinted, “At the right valuation, RCB is a great team…” sparking speculation of his involvement.
Reports now indicate that a possible consortium involving Kamath, Pai, and Poonawalla could be formed to bid for RCB. While none of the three have publicly confirmed their intentions, their financial capability puts them among the strongest potential contenders.
As per Forbes estimates, Adar Poonawalla’s net worth stands above $20 billion, while Ranjan Pai and Nikhil Kamath are valued at around $2.8 billion and $2.5 billion respectively. RCB, valued at over $1 billion by Forbes in 2022, is now expected to command an even higher price following their long-awaited IPL title victory this year.
With the sale now open and billionaires circling, RCB’s next chapter promises to be as gripping off the field as it is on it.
