The buzz around the Indian Premier League has taken an interesting turn with reports linking a major business move involving the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Initially, there were several bidders interested in the franchise, which was narrowed down to three. However, the RCB buyers list has been narrowing as the competition grows.
Among the names, Dr Ranjan Pai, the chairman of the Manipal group, is making headlines with a massive bid. If successful, this move could change the RCB ownership and bring a new direction to the franchise.
Ranjan Paichairman of the Manipal Grouphas emerged as a key contender in the race to acquire a stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026.
With the RCB owners, Diageo has fixed the deadline for the RCB sale for March 31; the fans might have to wait a little more to find out the new owners of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Who is Dr Ranjan Pai?
Dr Ranjan Pai is an Indian entrepreneur and the chairman of the Manipal Group. He has been instrumental in expanding the group’s presence in education and healthcare, helping build it into a trusted name in these sectors.
With a background in medicine and business, Dr Pai shifted his focus from practising medicine to managing and growing the family business. Under his leadership, the Manipal Group has grown into a global network of universities, hospitals, and healthcare services.
Apart from his core businesses, he is also active in investments, especially in supporting startups and new-age companies, making him a key figure in India’s investment ecosystem.
Manipal Group
The Manipal Group is a well-known Indian business group with a strong focus on education and healthcare. Founded in 1953, it has grown into a respected name with a presence across India and abroad.
The group operates top institutions like the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and runs a large network of hospitals, making quality education and healthcare accessible to many.
Under the leadership of Dr Ranjan Paiit has also expanded into investments and startup support, strengthening its role in India’s business and innovation ecosystem.
Popularity of RCB in the Indian Premier League
The RCB owners, Diaego has decided to sell RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 season and have invited bids for the sale.
The move comes as the franchise continues to attract strong investor interest following its success in recent seasons, including winning the IPL 2025 title.
With the team now a champion side, its brand value and market appeal have increased significantly, making it even more attractive for potential investors.
A potential change in ownership could bring fresh investment, stronger strategies, and further boost the team’s performance and market presence heading into IPL 2026.
According to reports, Ranjan Pai’s Manipal Group, in partnership with KKR and Temasek, has made a bid value of $2 billion for the franchise.
This potential RCB bid has attracted attention due to its impact on RCB ownership and the future direction of the team. The interest from the Manipal Group shows how attractive IPL team investment has become for major business groups.
With EQT (A swedish private equity firm) having submitted a significant bid rivalling the Global Consortium group (Manipal, KKR & Temasek), the bidding war has reached an interesting phase.
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