IPL 2026 is about to start in a few days and the fever is already high. Ahead of the season opener, between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sun Risers Hyderabad on March 28, rumors have started doing the rounds about RCB’s name change. For those who don’t know, RCB was recently bought by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) for $1.78 billion ($16,706 crore). The deal, which also involves Blackstone’s BXPE, Bolt Ventures, and Times Group, marks the costliest acquisition of an IPL team to date. This has led to speculation as to whether the team’s name will be changed under the new ownership.
RCB has been part of the original eight IPL teams since 2008. The team finally lifted its first IPL trophy in 2025. The trust was owned by United Spirits Limited since its inception. However, now that there has been a change to corporate-led ownership, many wondered if the “Royal Challengers” identity would be dropped.
The rumors were put to rest by Ananya Birla who took to Instagram to confirm that the name of the team will not change. He called it a “fan-first” decision that respects the legacy and passion of millions of fans. This move is seen as a strategic move to protect the huge brand equity that RCB has built over nearly two decades.
The new leadership structure also brings new energy to the franchise. Aryaman Vikram Birla, a former professional cricketer, who was selected by Rajasthan Royals in 2018. He has now assumed the role of RCB Chairman and will be supported by Times Group’s Satyan Gajwani as Vice Chairman, combining expertise in sports, media and business. Together, they aim to expand RCB’s international reach and transform the business into a world-class sporting institution.
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