Bengaluru: In a major development for the Indian Premier League, young industrialist and former cricketer Aryaman Birla has been named chairman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru following a landmark takeover by a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group.
The consortium finalized the acquisition of the Bengaluru-based franchise for about ₹16,000 crore from United Spirits Limited, a subsidiary of Diageo. The deal includes ownership of both the men’s IPL side and the women’s team in the Women’s Premier League, marking one of the biggest franchise purchases in cricket history.
Former Cricketer Turned Business Leader
The 28-year-old Aryaman, son of Kumar Mangalam Birla, has a cricketing background. A left-handed batter, he represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and shared the dressing room with players such as Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer during his playing days.
He featured in nine first-class matches, scoring 414 runs, including a century against Bengal at Eden Gardens. Aryaman also played four List-A games during his brief professional career.
IPL Link With Rajasthan Royals
Aryaman entered the 2018 IPL auction and was picked by Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakh. However, he did not get a chance to play and was released ahead of the 2020 season.
Around the same period, he stepped away from cricket, citing mental health challenges and the need to focus on personal well-being.
He later transitioned into corporate leadership and currently serves as a director at Aditya Birla Management Corporation Limited.
Vision for RCB’s Next Phase
Speaking after the acquisition, Aryaman Birla said the partnership brings together expertise across sports, media, and consumer businesses to shape the next growth phase for the franchise. He emphasized the group’s commitment to strengthening the team’s brand, fan engagement, and on-field success.
The appointment signals a generational shift at RCB, with a young chairman at the helm as the franchise looks to chase its maiden IPL title and expand its global footprint.
Source: NDTV Sports
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