Ex-India cricketer threatens to walk out if KL Rahul mentioned in same sentence as Sachin Tendulkar: 'Are TVs shut?'
Gujarat Titans, despite a 33-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, showed promise in their middle order during the IPL match. With their playoffs secured and top-order batsmen dominating, the middle order, led by Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford, stepped up when needed. Sudharsan expressed confidence in their capabilities as the team prepares for the playoffs without star player Jos Buttler.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Diageo weighs RCB stake sale as IPL hits $2 bn valuation, ad norms tighten
British spirits giant Diageo Plc is exploring the possibility of selling part or all of its stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The company, which holds the team through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits Ltd, is in early discussions with potential advisers. While no final decision has been made, the franchise could be valued at up to $2 billion. Diageo and United Spirits have not issued any public statements regarding the potential divestment. Health Ministry urges tighter ad rules on IPL ads The move comes as Diageo faces mounting regulatory pressure from the Union Health Ministry to curb indirect advertising of alcohol during major sporting events like the IPL. The company has historically leveraged soda and non-alcoholic brand extensions to maintain visibility under existing restrictions, a strategy that could soon be curtailed under stricter advertising norms. Valuation soars with RCB's commercial rise RCB, one of the original teams in the IPL) was first owned by liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya. The team later came under the control of Diageo after it took over Mallya's beleaguered spirits empire. RCB recently won its first IPL title, a major milestone that has boosted its visibility and commercial appeal. With Virat Kohli - one of the most followed athletes globally - in its ranks, RCB commands enormous market appeal, particularly across digital platforms. The potential sale comes as IPL franchise values continue to soar, thanks to the league's rapid commercial growth, bringing it on par with the NFL and English Premier League in terms of global influence and ad revenue. For Diageo, the timing may be strategic. The company is witnessing a decline in premium liquor sales in its largest market, the United States, and broader global cost pressures. Selling RCB, a non-core part of its business, could free up funds and help Diageo focus on its main operations. Health Ministry pushes to ban surrogate promotions of alcohol, tobacco The backdrop to this development includes a recent push by India's Union Health Ministry to ban all forms of alcohol and tobacco advertising, including surrogate promotions, during IPL broadcasts and related events. In March, the ministry wrote to IPL Chairperson Arun Singh Dhumal, urging a complete prohibition on such advertisements across all platforms, including television, stadiums, and affiliated venues. 'The Indian Premier League (IPL), being India's most viewed sporting event, sends a contradictory message to the public about health and fitness when it allows the direct or indirect promotion of tobacco and alcohol,' the ministry had said in a statement. The ministry also called for a ban on the sale of tobacco and alcohol products at all IPL-related events and sports facilities.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
RCB Owners Looking To Sell Franchise After IPL 2025 Win: Sources
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), just a week after winning the 2025 title, could be looking at new owners. Sources have told NDTV that the franchise's current owners, Diageo Plc, are out in the market, looking to sell the franchise, either partially or fully. The decision comes in the wake of the high that the brand has witnessed after the team won its maiden IPL title, putting an end to the 18-year-long hiatus. RCB is run by United Spirits Ltd in India, through Diageo Plc, which is to are already in talks with potential investors. Though there's no official information on the valuation of the franchise that has come yet, it has been reported by Bloomberg that the owners might demand a price as high as USD 2 billion (approx. INR 16,834 crores) for complete sale. British distiller and United Spirits Ltd.'s parent Diageo Plc is evaluating options to sell a partial or full stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru, according to people familiar with the matter. The liquor giant is exploring ways to monetise the IPL franchise after its recent title win, the people said, adding, Diageo is talking to potential advisors to manage the deal. As the news of RCB's potential sale broke, the sentiments also gave a boost to United Spirits' shares a boost. The stock prices went up as much as 3.3% on Tuesday morning. However, the decision wether to sell the franchise, or not, isn't final yet. Right after the high of the IPL title triumph, RCB also hit a low when the franchise's title celebrations at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned fatal for 11 fans. The loss of lives in the celebrations saw the euphoria sink dramatically. How Diageo Bought RCB When the franchise started in 2008, it was originally bought by Vijay Mallya, who used to own Kingfisher Airlines and was one of the most renowned figures in India's liquor industry. Mallya found himself embroiled in a debt trap that brought his empire crashing down, giving Diageo an opportunity to buy RCB through its subsidiary in India, United Spirits. RCB remains one of the most followed sporting teams on social media across the globe. In cricket, the franchise has the biggest fanbase despite the lack of success it has had in the T20 league.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Nicholas Pooran retires: LSG batter shocks fans with retirement at just 29, ‘This was very difficult'
Nicholas Pooran shocked fans by retiring from international cricket at just 29. Pooran played the most T20I matches for the West Indies and is also the highest run-scorer for the country in the format. 'This was very difficult, but I have thought long and hard about this,' Nicholas Pooran wrote on Instagram. 'After much thought and reflection, I've decided to announce my retirement from International Cricket. This game we love has given and will continue to give so much - joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies,' Pooran continued. 'Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me,' he added. His exit is a big blow, especially when the team is trying to rebuild after missing the 2023 ODI World Cup. In 2023, he hit the most sixes in T20s (170). During IPL 2025, scored over 500 runs with 40 sixes, the highest this season. He didn't play Test matches and debuted in T20Is in 2016, followed by ODIs in 2019. He hasn't played an ODI since the World Cup qualification miss. Pooran also captained the team in 2022 but won only 8 out of 30 games. He stepped down after West Indies' early exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup. With the next T20 World Cup only eight months away, West Indies must now find a strong middle-order replacement. His fans expressed their frustration over his retirement. 'Whyyyy Nicky?? this is not done.. You're one of my most favorite player from WI, For the upcoming WI tour of India , I was soo excited!! But this breaks my heart,' wrote an Indian fan. 'At 29, I could never accept this as a Trinidadian and West Indian, you have so much more to give the people of the Caribbean,' came from another fan. Lucknow Super Giants bought him for ₹ 21 crore, and he proved his worth. Once the strongest contender for Orange Cap, Nicholas Pooran lost his flow as IPL 2025 progressed. He scored 524 runs in 14 matches with a massive strike rate of 196.25, his best ever in IPL. However, LSG started losing matches, and Pooran became inconsistent.
