With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) both exploring full exits, it didn’t take long for speculation to breed over to other big IPL franchises. Over the past few days, social media was flooded with claims that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could be next in line, especially after UltraTech Cement acquired a controlling stake in India Cements last year. However, all rumours aren’t true and this was one of them.
CSK not for sale; ownership unchanged
A senior official from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management has denied all reports suggesting the franchise is up for sale. According to the official, there has been no change in ownership, no internal discussion around a sale, and no question of the team changing hands.
CSK has operated as a separate entity since 2015, long before UltraTech entered the picture. While UltraTech has bought 55 percent of India Cements, CSK was carved out years ago and now functions independently under Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited. In simple terms, the sale of India Cements has nothing to do with the IPL franchise.
“The current owners have absolutely no intention of selling the team. And I can guarantee that they will not let go of the franchise in the future either. After India Cements, CSK is the identity of the Srinivasan family. It is not just a business but an emotional asset and they would never part with it,” the official said.
Why CSK got dragged into the sale chatter
The confusion stems largely from the fact that RCB and RR are both in advanced stages of exploring 100 percent stake sales. RCB’s owners, Diageo via United Spirits, have already triggered a formal process, while Rajasthan Royals are also weighing binding bids ahead of IPL 2026.
CSK remains firmly under the control of N. Srinivasan and his family. At the September 2025 AGM, Srinivasan was appointed chairman of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, with K.S. Viswanathan continuing as Managing Director and CEO and Rupa Gurunath serving as Wholetime Director.
CSK posted a standalone profit of around ₹181 crore in the 2024–25 financial year, despite not qualifying for the playoffs. Beyond the IPL, the franchise has also expanded into overseas leagues through subsidiaries, with franchises in SA20 (JSK) and MLC (Texas Super Kings).
