Vijay Mallya has congratulated the new owners Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Ahead of the start of their title-defence in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The founder and former owner of the franchise also revealed that his investment of Rs 450 crore in 2008 is worth more than Rs 16,500.
Just days before the start of the new season, the 2025 IPL champions were taken over by a consortium led by Aditya Birla and The Times of India.
Mallya took to social media to recall the time when he first bought RCB and people dismissed it as a publicity stunt to promote his Royal Challenger brand without looking at their future. The same franchise is now one of the most valuable cricket teams in the world and is successful on the field through both its men's and women's teams.
“I would like to heartily congratulate the new owners of RCB. I wish them all the best for the most valuable IPL franchise. When I bought the franchise for Rs 450 crore in 2008, most people laughed at me and criticized my investment as a vanity project. The drive behind my much publicized madness was to create the Royal Challenger brand and hence I named the franchise RCB. My investment of Rs 450 crore Extremely happy to see it rising to Rs 16,500 crore,” Mallya said on his X (formerly Twitter) profile.
I want to heartily congratulate the new owners of RCB. I wish him all the best and all the best for the most valuable IPL franchise. When I bought the franchise for Rs 450 crore in 2008, most people laughed at me and criticized my investment as a vanity project. behind me…
– Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) 26 March 2026
Despite no longer being associated with the franchise, Mallya said that RCB will always be close to his heart and insisted that Bengaluru supporters will continue to support his franchise as it ushers in a new era under brand new owners.
He said, “RCB will always remain a part of my DNA, including rooting for the young Virat Kohli, who is now one of the best players in the world. Thank you to all the RCB fans who have come on board during and after my tenure and please continue to support RCB, the Lion of Bengaluru. Hello.”
RCB, under its new regime, will play the opening game of the 2026 IPL season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, March 28.
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