Ahead of the much-awaited IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have entered a new corporate era following a major ownership change. United Spirits Limited has sold the franchise to a consortium for $1.78 billion, making it the most expensive franchise acquisition in the history of professional cricket.
Following the deal, the new ownership group has appointed Aryaman Birla as chairman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The consortium includes the Aditya Birla Group, the Times of India Group, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone. The deal is subject to final approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Who Is Aryaman Birla? A Look at His Cricket Journey
Aryaman Birla pursued a professional cricket career before moving into business. He represented Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. Aryaman played nine first-class matches and scored 414 runs at an average of 27.6, including one century and one half-century.
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He began his journey at a young age, moving from Mumbai to Madhya Pradesh and gaining exposure in England. Aryaman made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2017 and had a strong CK Nayudu Trophy season, scoring 602 runs at an average of 75.25 with three centuries.
During his domestic stint, he shared the dressing room with Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer. He was picked by Rajasthan Royals for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2018 auction but did not feature in a match and later stepped away from cricket to focus on business.
I Have Felt Trapped – Aryaman Birla on Stepping Away from Professional Cricket
Despite securing an IPL contract, Aryaman Birla did not get a chance to play a match for Rajasthan Royals. His cricket journey, which showed early promise, took a sudden turn as he struggled to cope with the pressure at the professional level.
In December 2019, Aryaman announced an indefinite break from cricket. He spoke about his battle with performance anxiety and mental health. The former cricketer chose to step away from the game to focus on his well-being and understand himself better.
“I have felt trapped. I have pushed myself through all the distress so far, but now I feel the need to put my mental health and well-being above all else. We all have our own journeys and I want to take this time to understand myself better, open my mind to new and varied perspectives and seek purpose in my findings,” he wrote.
To Shape the Next Phase of Growth for RCB – Aryaman Birla on New Role
After stepping away from professional cricket, Aryaman Birla transitioned into the corporate world and took on leadership roles within the Aditya Birla Group. He currently serves as a director at Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail.
As the new chairman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Aryaman will work with a strong leadership group. Satyan Gajwani has been appointed vice-chairman, while David Blitzer and Viral Patel will also play key roles in managing the franchise.
“It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB,” he said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to Play Bold, on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”
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