While his tenure as captain did not yield an IPL title, Kohli’s individual brilliance and consistency ensured RCB remained relevant in the league’s competitive landscape. His presence alone added credibility and star power, helping the franchise attract global attention and commercial interest.The brand’s growth has also been strengthened by its women’s team. The presence of global stars such as Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana has further enhanced RCB’s appeal, contributing to a broader fan base. For example, during the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, fans filled the stands wearing Virat Kohli’s jersey. With Kohli in their ranks, even away games feel like home for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as they continue to enjoy massive support wherever they play. Success in the Women’s Premier League has only added to that momentum, reinforcing the franchise’s image as a multi-dimensional sporting brand.Off the field, RCB have been equally proactive in building a lifestyle identity. Initiatives such as the RCB Bar and Cafe in Bengaluru keep the franchise connected with fans year-round. Designed with a cricketing theme, the space blends sport and leisure, offering a unique experience that extends beyond match days.The franchise has also tapped into the growing fitness culture, an area closely associated with Kohli himself. Through its platform “Hustle by RCB,” the team offers structured fitness and nutrition programs, allowing fans to engage with the brand in a more personal and aspirational way. The initiative reflects RCB’s intent to position itself not just as a cricket team but as a lifestyle ecosystem.As defending champions heading into the 2026 season, RCB’s on-field success now complements its off-field strength. With Kohli still central to its narrative and a growing portfolio of fan engagement initiatives, the franchise continues to set benchmarks in how a sports team can evolve into a global brand.

Ganguly made it clear that coaching is something he is seriously considering. “The most important thing for me is cricket. When I used to play cricket, I used to bat, bowl and also captained the national team. But whatever I am doing now is in different phases. I just want get involved with cricket, I also coached Pretoria Capitals in the South Africa League where we reached the final and I have an interest in that also (coaching),” he said in an event in Noida, as quoted by PTI.He added, “I have been BCCI and CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) president as well and became CAB president again. I have achieved everything in life and whatever opportunities I will get I will explore them.”On the game itself, Ganguly backed Test cricket as the toughest and most important format, while calling T20 the least challenging, even though it attracts crowds.Ganguly also weighed in on the IPL’s Impact Player rule, saying it is unlikely to go away despite criticism. “Impact player rule I think it’s going to stay… this is here to stay, someone will like it someone will not,” he said.Talking about the IPL’s growth, especially the massive Rajasthan Royals deal, he called the numbers “mind-blowing” and added, “IPL will only go to greater heights… it’s mind-blowing numbers but there is lot’s more in store for Indian cricket.”He also highlighted young talents to watch, including Auqib Nabi, as the league continues to showcase emerging stars.

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval from BCCI, the IPL governing council and other authorities.The franchise, under its new ownership structure post the 2026 edition, will see Aryaman Vikram Birla, director at Aditya Birla Group serve as chairman while Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India Group will be the vice-chairman.“Over the past 2 decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India. RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport. We are delighted to become custodians of this asset and committed to further building this extraordinary legacy,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group.

File photo of Kumar Mangalam Birla of the Aditya Birla Group.

Times Internet Limited’s Gajwani said in a media note, “RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. As The Times of India Group, together with our partners, we will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase. We are committed to the people who built this championship-winning culture – the players, coaches, the leadership team, and the fans. We look forward to supporting the team as they take the pitch on Saturday to defend RCB’s title.”

File photo of Satyan Gajwani of the Times of India group.

Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute of India, Ranjan Pai of Manipal Hospitals, private equity firms EQT, TPG and Temasek and the Glazer family that owns the Manchester United club were among the other interested bidders when Diageo Plc had first initiated the process to sell RCB.In 2008, when the BCCI floated IPL, United Spirits had submitted a winning bid of US$111.6m (approx Rs 485 cr) to acquire the Bangalore franchise. In 2023, the RCB management had paid another Rs 901 crore to acquire the WPL team. In 2024, RCB won the WPL and followed it up with their first-ever IPL title win in 2025.The franchise has featured some of T20’s greatest icons including Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Anil Kumble, Glenn Maxwell, Yuvraj Singh and Faf du Plessis among others.

Virat Kohli led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team before Rajat Patidar took over. (Photo Credit- X/RCB)

In 2013, after Kohli took over as captain of the IPL, the franchise’s popularity catapulted from being just one among the eight teams to becoming one of the most popular and sought-after properties in the tournament.Kohli’s rise as Team India captain and cricket’s most authoritative brand coincided with RCB’s rise as one of IPL’s most followed teams. Despite the lack of a title win in 17 years, the franchise acquired mass following among fans in Karnataka, across the country and social media.As of 2026, RCB remains right on top where its social media reach and general popularity across broadcast media is concerned.In 2025, Brand Finance had listed RCB as IPL’s second most valuable brand after Mumbai Indians and among the top three strongest IPL brands alongside Mumbai and Chennai. The same year, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey had also listed the RCB as IPL’s foremost brand.

Structurally speaking, the team was owned by United Spirits/United Spirits subsidiaries (often described as Royal Challengers Sports/United Spirits Sports, etc.), with Mallya’s UB Group as the promoter of United Spirits.In 2012–13, the Diageo Group agreed to acquire control of United Spirits Limited (USL). By the mid-2010s, Diageo had effective and then majority control of USL, and hence of the franchise, even though UB Holdings retained a minority shareholding in USL for some time.Vijay Mallya eventually exited USL’s board and gave up active control of the franchise around 2016 amid legal and financial troubles. This left Diageo/USL as the effective owner and operator of RCB.In March 2024, the franchise officially changed its name from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, aligning with the city’s new spelling.RCB ended their IPL title drought by winning the title in 2025, the 18th edition of the T20 competition.In late 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, owned by United Spirits Limited, a Diageo subsidiary, put the franchise up for sale.Multiple bidders came to the table with Aditya Birla Group, TOI Group, Bolt Ventures & Blackstone consortium triumphing by virtue of the biggest bid of $1.78 billion.In absolute terms, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has seen a $1.67 billion increase in value over the 18 years. This represents a 1495 percent rise, or 16-times the original price paid by Vijay Mallya.

The moderate climate also enhances spectator comfort, ensuring packed stands at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the atmosphere remains electric throughout the season.Beyond weather, Bengaluru’s status as India’s technology capital adds a unique edge. Home to global IT giants and a young, urban population, the city represents the IPL’s modern, digital-first audience.Franchises like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the second-most valuable as per the Brand Finance Report, benefit from strong engagement, innovative fan experiences, and a tech-savvy supporter base that amplifies the league’s reach both online and offline.This fusion of sport and technology aligns perfectly with the IPL’s entertainment-driven ecosystem.Equally important is Bengaluru’s rich cricketing lineage. The city has produced and nurtured some of India’s finest cricketers, including legends like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. This legacy fosters a deep understanding and appreciation of the game among fans, creating a knowledgeable and passionate cricketing community.The strong domestic structure in Karnataka further ensures a steady pipeline of talent, reinforcing the city’s long-term relevance in Indian cricket.In essence, Bengaluru offers the perfect IPL ecosystem — favourable weather, cutting-edge urban culture, and a proud cricketing heritage. Together, these factors make it not just a host city, but a cornerstone of the league’s identity and future growth.

A key factor behind this surge has been RCB’s ability to strike the right balance between continuity and reinvention. The appointment of Rajat Patidar as captain signalled a shift towards fresh leadership, while the continued presence of Virat Kohli ensured stability, experience, and global appeal.Kohli’s journey with the franchise — from its early years to lifting the trophy — added an emotional dimension that deeply resonated with fans.On the field, RCB built a formidable and well-rounded squad. Retaining core players and adding match-winners like Krunal Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, and Josh Hazlewood created depth and flexibility. This translated into consistent performances, with eight wins in their first 11 matches and a dominant run through the playoffs, culminating in a historic title victory.Off the field, RCB’s growth has been equally impressive. Strategic partnerships, alongside enhanced match-day experiences and grassroots initiatives across Karnataka, strengthened their connect with fans. Their digital presence — already among the strongest in the IPL — scaled new heights, amplified by Kohli’s enduring star power.Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket in 2025 further sharpened his focus on the IPL, boosting both performance and marketability.Combined with the IPL title and smart brand-building, RCB have evolved into more than just a cricket team — they are now the IPL’s most valuable and influential franchise.