Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been sold to a consortium, led by Aditya Birla Group, for a staggering sum of $1.78 billion (approx. INR 16,600 crore), marking the IPL’s most expensive franchise takeover ever.
Apart from the Aditya Birla Group, the buying group includes Blackstone’s perpetual private equity arm BXPE, Bolt Ventures led by David Blitzer, and media conglomerate Times of India Group.
Under the new ownership structure, Aryaman Vikram Birla, director at Aditya Birla Group, will serve as chairman, while Satyan Gajwani of the Times Group will be the vice-chairman.
Interestingly, Aryaman, son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, had once pursued a professional cricketing career before transitioning into business leadership.
After playing domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh and being signed by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2018, he stepped away in 2019 at the age of 22, citing mental health issues.
Aryaman made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy against Odisha in November 2017. His first-class career spanned just over a year, concluding with his final match against Andhra in January 2019. Over his nine-match first-class career, he scored 414 runs at an average of 27.60, with one century—a grit-driven 103* against Bengal at Eden Gardens—and one half-century to his name.
Aryaman made his List A debut for Madhya Pradesh against Hyderabad on September 19, 2018, in Delhi. His List A career was short-lived, with his final match played against Saurashtra on September 26, 2018. He scored 36 runs across three matches.
Aryaman was picked up by RR in the IPL 2018 auction for Rs 30 lakh, but he did not feature in a match.
Following his break from cricket, Aryaman took on leadership positions across the Aditya Birla Group, including on the board of the Group's apex body, Aditya Birla Management Corporation, as well as director roles in Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail.
His corporate, financial, and academic background includes MBA (Honours) from Harvard Business School, Master’s in Global Finance from Bayes Business School (London), Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai.
After seven years, Aryaman Vikram Birla has returned to the sport in a leadership capacity.
“It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB,” Aryaman said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to Play Bold, on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is."
