CCI approves acquisition of Rajasthan Royals, two other cricket franchises by Westview, Poonawalla Sports

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of three professional cricket franchises, including Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals, by Westview Cricket Ltd and Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Pvt Ltd.

The proposed combination involves the acquisition of Rajasthan Royals in India, Paarl Royals in South Africa and Barbados Royals in Barbados, the competition regulator said in a statement on Thursday night.

Westview Cricket is a company registered in the United Kingdom, while Poonawalla Sports is an Indian private limited company wholly owned by Adar Cyrus Poonawalla.

The three franchises are held through EM Sporting Holdings Ltd (EMSH), a private company incorporated and registered in Mauritius.

EMSH is the holding company of Royal Multisport Pvt Ltd (RMPL), Paarl Royals Ltd and Barbados Royals Ltd.

RMPL owns and operates the Rajasthan Royals franchise, which participates in the IPL T20 cricket tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“The Acquirers submit that they are not engaged in any business that overlaps with the business of the Targets (including their Affiliates) in India, in any of the plausible relevant markets,” the CCI said in its order summary. “Accordingly, the proposed transaction is not likely to cause any appreciable adverse effect on competition in India.