In a major development, Torrent Group, a leading Indian business conglomerate, is poised to purchase a majority stake in the Gujarat Titans (GT), the reigning IPL champions from 2022. Subject to final approval, the new ownership could take effect starting the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League, which is scheduled to commence on March 21, 2025. This potential acquisition marks a significant shift in the landscape of IPL ownership and could have wide-reaching implications for the team’s future.
Torrent Group to Buy 67% Stake in Gujarat Titans
According to sources close to the deal, Torrent Group is set to acquire a 67% stake in Gujarat Titans from the current owners, CVC Capital Partners (through its entity Irelia Company Pte Ltd), who purchased the franchise in 2021. The final terms of the transaction, including the exact valuation of the stake being sold, have not been disclosed as of yet. Reports say that the deal is still undergoing paperwork processing with the Indian Premier League’s governing council, which must grant final approval before it can be officially concluded.
CVC Capital Partners’ Exit and Torrent’s Entry
CVC Capital Partners, a global private equity firm, initially bought Gujarat Titans in 2021 for a staggering INR 5625 crore (approximately USD 750 million). Under their ownership, the franchise made a remarkable debut, winning the IPL title in their first season (2022). They went on to reach the final in 2023, although their performance dipped in 2024, where they finished in eighth place. The Gujarat Titans play their home matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, located in Ahmedabad, which has a seating capacity of over 100,000.
A Strategic Move by Torrent Group
Torrent Group, headquartered in Ahmedabad, has long been interested in the IPL, particularly in the Gujarat region. In 2021, Torrent’s subsidiary, Torrent Sports Ventures Private Limited, was one of the final nine bidders in the BCCI’s walk-in auction to add two new franchises to the IPL. Torrent has made bids for two cities, namely Ahmedabad for INR 4653 crores and Lucknow for INR 4356 crores, and at last, Lucknow and Ahmedabad won the rights and became an integral part of IPL.
Torrent also bid for the Women’s Premier League expansion in 2023 but lost out on one of the five teams. Nevertheless, Torrent Group’s financial strength and vision for the future of Indian sports position them well to take on the role of owning an IPL franchise with Gujarat Titans.
The Rise of Torrent Group in Indian Business
Torrent Group is one of the largest multinational companies in India with a valuation of around INR 41,000 crore. The group consists of two key subsidiaries: Torrent Power and Torrent Pharmaceuticals, each of which dominates its market segment. The involvement of the Torrent Group in IPL through Gujarat Titans investment will most likely be monitored by Jinal Mehta, the son of the chairman emeritus of Torrent Group Sudhir Mehta. Jinal Mehta has been a key figure in Torrent’s sports-related ventures and is expected to guide the strategic direction of the team.
CVC’s Foray into Cricket Ownership
For CVC Capital Partners, the Gujarat Titans acquisition marked their first successful venture into cricket. The global investment firm had previously made a bid for the Delhi Capitals in 2018, following the GMR Group’s partial sale of the franchise. However, the Delhi franchise was ultimately purchased by Jindal South West (JSW) for INR 550 crore. Despite their exit from GT, CVC’s short-lived IPL involvement has highlighted their interest in sports franchises globally.
Gujarat Titans’ Star-Studded Squad
Gujarat Titans, led by India’s emerging star Shubman Gill, has become one of the most exciting teams in the IPL. The franchise has a very strong roster, including Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, and India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, among other key players. With Torrent Group set to take over, the team’s fan base is eager to see how this change in ownership will affect the squad and the team’s future prospects.
Looking Ahead: IPL 2025 and Beyond
As the Gujarat Titans prepare for their 2025 campaign, the acquisition by Torrent Group could lead to new investments and improvements in the team’s infrastructure and resources. With a new ownership structure in place, the Titans will look to continue their success in the IPL, building on their already strong foundation and adding new dimensions to their squad in the coming seasons.
This acquisition also goes beyond shifting leadership in one of the more promising franchises for IPL but indeed hints at the rising dominance of business groups from Indian territories in a worldwide sports industry. With all those deep pockets, the sports interest of Torrent Group can make Gujarata Titans find an era ahead into growth in success in the future of the Indian Premier League.
