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Rajat Patidar ended RCB's title drought in his very first season as captain. (AP Photo)
The possibility of the sale of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru has spurred interest over the last week where it was revealed that the IPL 2025 champions have been put on sale, only months after their maiden title triumph.
While there have been talks about the franchise’s ownership, the confirmation came last Wednesday with Diageo revealing that they initiated the process to sell the IPL as well as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) team, which is three years old and has a title to its name.
Former RCB batter Mohammed Kaif, however, felt that a potential change in ownership will not affect the team’s winning template on the field.
“I think the best thing about RCB from last time was how they performed in the auction. They appointed a new captain and his bonding with Virat Kohli was also good. What hadn’t happened in the team’s history before, happened the previous time. Bowlers had more say in their title victory. Whether we talk of Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal. Bhuvneshwar Kumar displayed his good form. So, RCB have understood to spend as much money on bowlers as they do on batters,” Kaif said on YouTube.
“Whoever comes as owners, RCB have now set a template that Kohli bats at the top and Tim David plays as a finisher. They brought Phil Salt – Kohli and Salt gave good starts. Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya aren’t that big names but Pandya proved himself as a match-winner with the bat. He also performed well with the ball,” he added.
It was revealed that USL (United Spirits Limited) is undertaking a comprehensive strategic review of its investment in RCSPL, the subsidiary that holds ownership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teams competing in the men’s IPL and Women’s Premier League. This decision, which has been communicated to the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council, is anticipated to be finalized by March 31, 2026, according to a disclosure by USL’s parent company, Diageo.
The decision comes at a time when the IPL franchises have to finalise their retentions by November 15. With the auctions also set to follow, any potential buyer will have to make do with a squad that is being handpicked by the current owners, Diageo. According to industry analysts, there is a view that even if the sale process ends by March 31, the official change of guard could happen at the conclusion of the IPL, depending on the negotiations.
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