Adar Poonawalla confirms RCB interest, promises 'strong and competitive bid' to own franchise

Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer of Serum Institute, has signalled his intention to make a major move in the Indian Premier League (IPL) market, revealing plans to submit a “strong and competitive” bid for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise. The announcement came on Wednesday via X, where Poonawalla wrote, “Over the next few months, I will be putting in a STRONG and COMPETITIVE bid for @RCBTweets, one of the best teams in the IPL.”

The move places Poonawalla at the centre of ongoing speculation about the potential sale of RCB, owned by United



Spirits, a company controlled by Diageo. Industry insiders have reported that United Spirits is seeking $2 billion for the franchise. Achieving this valuation would make RCB one of the most expensive single-team assets in the history of cricket.

In October 2025, Poonawalla had hinted at interest in RCB, posting, “At the right valuation, @RCBTweets is a great team.” That message, while measured, gained momentum when former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi described RCB as a “prime investment” and suggested that global and sovereign funds could be potential buyers.