‘People Laughed At Me’: Vijay Mallya Reacts To RCB Sale After ₹450 Crore Bet Turns ₹16,500 Crore

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Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru owner Vijay Mallya has congratulated the new owners of Royal Challengers Bengaluru following the franchise's landmark sale, reflecting on how his original investment grew dramatically over nearly two decades.

Taking to social media after the confirmation of the franchise's multi-billion-dollar takeover, Mallya said he was proud to see the team's valuation rise from its original purchase price in 2008.

"I would like to heartily congratulate the new owners of RCB. I wish them the very best and Godspeed with the most valuable IPL franchise," Mallya wrote.

'People Laughed At My Investment,' Says Mallya

Mallya recalled the reaction when he first purchased the franchise during the inaugural IPL auction in 2008 for INR 450 crore - a move that was widely criticised at the time.

"When I bought the franchise in 2008 for INR 450 crores, most people laughed at me and criticised my investment as a vanity project," he said.

He added that the decision was closely tied to building the Royal Challenge brand, which later became central to the franchise's identity.

"Behind my much touted madnesses was building the Royal Challenge brand and hence I named the franchise RCB."

From ₹450 Crore To ₹16,500 Crore: RCB's Value Surge

Mallya described the franchise's growth as deeply satisfying, noting how its valuation has risen sharply over the years.

"Immensely gratifying to see my INR 450 crore investment grow to INR 16,500 crores," he wrote.

The franchise, now owned by a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group and its partners, recently changed hands in one of the biggest deals in IPL history.

Mallya Recalls Backing Young Virat Kohli

The former owner also reflected on one of his most significant cricketing decisions - backing a young Virat Kohli early in his career.

"RCB will always remain a part of my DNA with indelible memories including picking the young Virat Kohli who is now amongst the best in the World," Mallya wrote.

He ended his message by thanking RCB supporters and urging them to continue backing the team, calling the franchise "the Lion of Bengaluru."