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Ahead of the IPL retention window coming to a close and the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction in December, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been in the news. Diageo, the current owners of the franchise, had confirmed after long-time speculations that the franchise has been put under sale. The estimated cost of buying it would be more than 1 billion dollars. There have been a lot of names who have emerged as prospective buyers. Two new names, with strong local connections, have now been added to the list. According to a report by The Times of India, Nikhil Kamath, cofounder of Zerodha, and Ranjan Pai, head of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), have been named as potential candidates who are looking to buy RCB. Both businessmen hail from Karnataka and are based in Bengaluru. Bith have a lot of financial muscle and are well within their capacity to buy a team that is worth more than a billion dollars. The report further states that Kamath and Pai would be putting in a joint bid alongside Adar Poonawallah, CEO of the Serum Institute of India. Accordig to Forbes, Kamath’s net worth is estimated at $2.5 billion and Pai’s at $2.8 billion. Observers have said that any potential buyer would look to seek a strong local connection to conect with RCB's massive fanbase, and also create an influence within the state's political and business circles. ALSO READ: RCB WPL 2026 Full List Of Retained Players What Is RCB's Value? In 2022, Forbes valued RCB at just over $1 billion, and that number has likely risen after their historic first IPL title. A 2025 report by investment advisory firm Houlihan Lokey placed the IPL’s total business value at $18.5 billion, with an overall brand value of $3.9 billion. Among all franchises, RCB leads the way with an impressive $269 million brand valuation. Their massive fan following, stronger performances, and powerful digital presence have made them the IPL’s most valuable brand — a reflection of how their influence now extends far beyond the cricket field. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.
