IPL iconoclastic side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are back in focus – this time not for on-field action, but for a record-breaking deal that is reshaping the future of the franchise.
In one of the biggest deals ever seen in cricket, a consortium of Indian and global investors has acquired the Bengaluru-based team in an all-cash deal worth US$1.78 billion (approximately US$1.78 billion). $16,660 crore). The franchise, which competes in both the Indian Premier League and Women’s Super League, was previously owned by United Spirits Limited.
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The new ownership group brings together big names, including the Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone’s BXPE arm, David Blitzer-led Bolt Ventures, and the Times Of India Group.
While the deal is still awaiting approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a major leadership decision has already been made, with Aryaman Vikram Birla appointed as the president of the franchise.
Who is Aryaman Birla?
Aryaman’s appointment adds an interesting personal dimension to the story. And unlike many corporate appointees, he has first-hand experience in the game.
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The son of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, Aryaman followed cricket seriously. At 17, he moved from Mumbai to Madhya Pradesh to further his career, having had previous stints in England with West Hampstead Cricket Club and London Schools Cricket Association under former Middlesex cricketer Paul Weekes, HT had previously reported.
His domestic breakthrough came in 2017 when he made his debut in the Ranji Trophy. A year ago, he had already attracted attention in the CK Nayudu Trophy, where he topped the run-off charts with 602 runs at an impressive average of 75.25, including three centuries.
Across nine first-class matches – most of them during the 2018-19 Ranji season – he showed promise, including an emphatic maiden century against Bengal at Eden Gardens which helped Madhya Pradesh to a draw. During this phase, he shared the dressing room with players like Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer, both of whom are now associated with RCB.
He was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in 2018 but did not feature in any matches during his tenure. In December 2019, when he was just 22 years old, Aryaman stepped away from cricket indefinitely, due to severe anxiety related to the sport.
Who is Ananya Birla and why is she in the limelight?
Although she is not directly involved in the ownership or operations of the franchise, Ananya Birla has also caught attention amid the developments.
Kumar’s daughter Mangalam Birla has built her profile as an entrepreneur and investor, separate from the family’s business legacy. Born in Mumbai in 1994, she studied at the American School of Bombay before moving to Oxford University where she majored in economics and management, according to an NDTV report.
Her increased public presence, combined with the Birla family’s entry into cricket through this high-profile deal, has made her an interesting name in conversations around RCB. It is also one of the major key partners associated with RCB.
What will happen next?
Currently, the relocation remains subject to regulatory approval from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Once approved, the consortium will officially take over franchise operations.
With new ownership, a new president, and renewed interest around the team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is entering a new chapter – one that blends corporate strength with a personal cricket connection at the top.
