Torrent Investments Private Ltd has received clearance from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for its acquisition of a controlling 67 percent stake in Irelia Sports India Private Ltd , the entity that operates the Gujarat Titans, an Ahmedabad-based franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

The approval was granted under the automatic green route channel, signifying no anti-competitive concerns in the transaction.

The deal marks a significant diversification move by Torrent Investments, the investment arm of the Torrent Group, which has a strong presence across industries including pharmaceuticals, power, gas, electricals, and healthcare. 

By acquiring a majority stake in Gujarat Titans, Torrent Group aims to strengthen its brand equity and expand into the high-value sports and entertainment sector. The move is also in line with the group’s investment strategy of acquiring scalable assets that offer consistent returns.

According to the official combination notice, the transaction does not involve any horizontal overlap, vertical relationship, or complementary linkages between the businesses of the acquiring and target entities. While Torrent Group operates in manufacturing, energy, and healthcare, Gujarat Titans’ core business is centered around franchise cricket operations, including ticketing, merchandising, and advertising. Given the lack of competition concerns, the transaction was assessed and cleared swiftly under Section 6(4) of the Competition Act, 2002.

This acquisition signals the growing corporate interest in India’s lucrative sports industry, where IPL franchises have transformed into major commercial entities with strong revenue streams from sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and fan engagement activities. 

With this deal, Torrent Group steps into the high-profile world of cricket, further solidifying its foothold in consumer-centric businesses.

Published on February 20, 2025