How Vijay Mallya's Second Option Built an IPL Legacy

Vijay Mallya was never destined to be the face of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise. Actually his initial dream was to own the Mumbai team when the Indian Premier League was still in the process of taking shape. Lalit Modi the founder of IPL recently revealed that Mallya had come extremely close to acquiring the Mumbai team but lost out by a mere two lakh US dollars during the auction. The difference proved crucial as he ended up with the Bangalore franchise instead, which went on to become a defining aspect of his legacy and one of the most legendary teams in the history of IPL.

At the time no one could have anticipated just how significant that turn of events would prove. Mallya might have lost out on his first pick but he invested all his energy and vision in constructing the Bengaluru team from scratch. In the words of Lalit Modi if any other proprietor had acquired the Bangalore team things would have been completely different. RCB in its present form would never have existed as it did back then. It was Mallya's hometown and perhaps that emotional attachment helped him make choices that directed the fate of the team in a special manner.

Lalit Modi also noted that Vijay Mallya was one of the first to have faith in the future of the IPL. Before others joined in, Mallya invested without greatly considering the business model. He believed in the concept and that sort of initial faith provided the tournament with a robust beginning. It is the same faith that enabled him to select players and plans that would benefit him in the long term.

Mallya's greatest pick was probably selecting Virat Kohli. Kohli was a young player at the time with not much of a name. The Delhi squad that had the initial opportunity to select him in the uncapped players round released him. They did not realize what they were losing. Kohli was offered for a set amount of ten thousand dollars and anybody could have picked him. But they did not. Mallya identified something in Virat that other people didn't. He selected him and he became a central part of the RCB team. That move altered things.

Virat Kohli did not only turn into a star player he turned into the face of the franchise. Year after year he was committed to RCB giving the people someone to support. Today almost two decades on Kohli is the top scorer in IPL history and has a number of batting records to his name. He assisted in leading RCB to an overdue title and the relationship between him and the franchise is one that seems destined. All of that began with one choice taken by an owner who was convinced of his ability.

Lalit Modi also used the chance to quash some prevalent myths regarding Indian players potentially migrating to foreign leagues. He clarified that existing IPL players who remain contracted with Indian state teams or the national board can't play in other leagues such as the ones in Saudi Arabia or England. Even if there are IPL owners there the rules are extremely clear. They alone can think of playing in those leagues if they are retired Indian players or not associated with any Indian cricket deal.

It is believed that nations such as Saudi Arabia may entice Indian players with money bags or launch lofty leagues. Modi shot down the very thought. He added the IPL is much ahead of all other sports leagues globally when it comes to commercial reach and fan base. According to him no other league can match the emotional connection Indian fans have with their own cricket players. That bond cannot be bought with money.

He also mentioned how the global economy is often misread. People assume Asian countries are now ahead of the West in many areas but in most things the West is still in front. The only real exception is the IPL. It has exceeded all expectations and is a self-sustaining global brand. And the key to that success is not the business model or the celebrity power. It is the passion that Indian fans have for cricket and the commitment they make every season. That buzz is something no overseas league can replicate.

Ultimately it is obvious that the RCB narrative is full of what if's. What if Mallya had succeeded in winning the Mumbai bid. What if Kohli had moved to Delhi. What if some other individual had acquired the Bangalore franchise. But all of them did not materialize and because of that we were able to see something really special. Mallya's second option proved to be the correct option not only for him but for millions of RCB fans across the globe.

From a near lost chance to a championship victory everything fell into place due to belief big decisions and a dash of destiny. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru were more than a team. They were an embodiment of loyalty passion and vision. And none of this could have been possible without that very first twist in the auction where Vijay Mallya got his hometown team.