Aryaman Birla Appointed RCB Chairman in $1.78 Billion Takeover

Aryaman Birla RCB Chairman: Ex-Rajasthan Royals player and Rajat Patidar’s former teammate takes charge of the IPL franchise after a record all-cash deal by a powerful business consortium.

Landmark Ownership Change

A consortium of Indian and global firms sealed an all-cash deal on Tuesday to buy Royal Challengers Bengaluru from United Spirits Limited for USD 1.78 billion, roughly ₹16,706 crore. The transaction ranks among cricket’s biggest franchise sales ever.

The group includes the Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone’s perpetual private equity arm BXPE, Bolt Ventures led by David Blitzer, and the Times of India Group. Once the Board of Control for Cricket in India gives its nod, the new owners will formally step in.

Aryaman Birla RCB Chairman

At the centre of the deal stands Aryaman Birla, named the new RCB Chairman. Son of billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla, the 28-year-old brings both business acumen and a credible playing past to the role.

Rise in Domestic Cricket

Aryaman Birla left Mumbai at 17 to chase opportunities in Madhya Pradesh cricket. He had earlier turned out for West Hampstead Cricket Club and the London Schools Cricket Association in England. His domestic breakthrough arrived in the CK Nayudu Trophy, where he topped the run charts with 602 runs at an average of 75.25, including three centuries.

He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2017. Across nine first-class matches, mostly in the 2018-19 season, he scored 414 runs. A fighting century against Bengal at Eden Gardens helped Madhya Pradesh earn a draw. During those years he shared the dressing room with current RCB skipper Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer.

Rajasthan Royals Stint

In 2018, Rajasthan Royals signed Aryaman Birla. Though he stayed with the franchise for two seasons, he did not play a single match. In December 2019, at just 22, he announced an indefinite break from the game, citing severe anxiety.

Corporate Shift and Return

After stepping away from cricket, Aryaman Birla completed an MBA (Honours) from Harvard Business School, a Master’s in Global Finance from Bayes Business School, and a Commerce degree from Mumbai University. He rose quickly within the Aditya Birla Group and now sits on the board of Aditya Birla Management Corporation while holding directorships in Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail.

Seven years later, he returns to professional cricket—this time in the chairman’s seat.

Vision for RCB

In his first statement after the deal, Aryaman Birla said, “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. Together, we will continue to Play Bold, on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”

BCCI Nod Awaited

The deal is still subject to BCCI approval. Sources indicated the process is expected to move swiftly, given the high-profile nature of the consortium and the timing ahead of IPL 2026.

What Lies Ahead

RCB was originally bought by Vijay Mallya in 2008 for $111.6 million, then equal to ₹446 crore. Adjusted to March 2026 exchange rates, that original price equals roughly ₹1,050 crore today—meaning the franchise value has jumped nearly 16 times in 18 years. The new owners inherit a team with a massive fan base but still chasing its first IPL title.

For Aryaman Birla RCB Chairman, the challenge is clear: blend sharp business strategy with the bold playing spirit that defines the franchise. Cricket watchers see the move as a fresh chapter that could reshape not just RCB but the broader IPL ownership landscape in the years ahead.