Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya has stirred conversation after taking credit for signing a young Virat Kohli during the early days of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Reacting to RCB’s blockbuster sale of over ₹16,600 crore, Mallya congratulated the new owners and reflected on his journey of building the franchise from its inception in 2008.
He revealed that his decision to back Kohli as a young talent was one of the most defining moments in the team’s history, with the cricketer now regarded as one of the best in the world.
Mallya also highlighted how the franchise name and identity were closely tied to his flagship Royal Challenge brand, calling RCB a part of his “DNA.”
From an initial investment of around ₹450 crore to becoming one of the most valuable IPL teams, RCB’s journey reflects one of the biggest success stories in sports business and branding.
