“Part of My DNA”: Vijay Mallya Breaks Silence on Record-Breaking RCB Sale and Drafting Virat Kohli
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya has publicly addressed the historic sale of the Indian Premier League franchise. In a statement released on X, Mallya detailed his emotional connection to the team, defending his initial 2008 investment and reflecting on his decision to draft a teenage Virat Kohli.
The transition marks the largest franchise transaction in IPL history. A consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone acquired 100 percent of the franchise from United Spirits, a Diageo Plc subsidiary. The acquisition includes operations for both the men’s IPL and women’s WPL teams.
Financial Growth: From 2008 Investment to Record Valuation
Mallya originally purchased the Bengaluru-based franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crore (approximately $111.6 million at the time). He noted that critics initially dismissed the acquisition.
“When I bought the franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crores, most people laughed at me and criticised my investment as a vanity project,” Mallya stated. “Behind my much-touted madnesses was building the Royal Challenge brand, and hence I named the franchise RCB.”
The recent sale values the franchise at approximately INR 16,600 crore. This represents an exponential return on the initial capital outlay over a 16-year period.
| Metric | 2008 Inception | Current Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Vijay Mallya (UB Group) | Aditya Birla Consortium |
| Valuation | INR 450 crore ($111.6M) | INR 16,600 crore (~$2B) |
| Scope | IPL Men’s Team | IPL Men’s & WPL Women’s Teams |
Drafting Virat Kohli
In his statement, Mallya highlighted the acquisition of Virat Kohli as a primary achievement during his tenure. Kohli was selected on a youth contract following his victory in the 2008 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
“RCB will always remain a part of my DNA with indelible memories including picking the young Virat Kohli who is now amongst the best in the World,” Mallya wrote. Kohli remains the only player in BCCI history to represent a single franchise for 17 consecutive seasons, establishing himself as the league’s all-time leading run-scorer.
The New Ownership Structure
Mallya extended his congratulations to the incoming ownership group, wishing them “Godspeed with the most valuable IPL franchise.” The acquiring consortium brings diverse corporate backing to the Bengaluru franchise:
- Aditya Birla Group: Lead investor in the consortium.
- Times of India Group: Media and entertainment partner.
- Blackstone & Bolt Ventures: Private equity and strategic investment partners.
The former owner concluded his message by thanking the fanbase that supported the team during his stewardship, signing off with a traditional “Namaskara” and urging continued support for the franchise. The cricket broadcasting and reporting networks will monitor how the new corporate leadership manages the team’s operations heading into the upcoming mega auction.