The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of three professional cricket franchises - Rajasthan Royals (India), Paarl Royals (South Africa), and Barbados Royals (Barbados) - by Westview Cricket Limited and Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Private Limited. The proposed combination involves the transfer of ownership of these franchises from their current holder, EM Sporting Holdings Limited, a Mauritius-registered company that serves as the holding company for Royal Multisport Private Limited, Paarl Royals Ltd., and Barbados Royals Ltd.
Westview Cricket Limited is a company registered in the United Kingdom, while Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Private Limited is a private limited company incorporated in India and wholly owned by Mr. Adar Cyrus Poonawalla. Royal Multisport Private Limited, which is part of the EMSH group, owns and operates the Rajasthan Royals franchise that participates in the Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The CCI's approval represents a regulatory clearance under Indian competition law for this cross-border sports franchise acquisition. The detailed order of the Commission will follow this initial announcement. The transaction involves cricket franchises across three different countries - India, South Africa, and Barbados - with the Indian franchise being particularly significant due to its participation in the high-profile Indian Premier League.