Guinness owner Diageo's investment in Indian cricket team set to reap $1bn payout 

Diageo shares jumped 2.4% on Wednesday as firm's 55.9% stake in IPL's Royal Challengers Bengaluru set for windfall

Fans cheer a bus carrying Royal Challengers Bengaluru after they won cricket's Indian Premier League in June. Guinness maker Diageo owned a 55% stake in the team which is set to sell for $1.8bn. Picture: AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi

Guinness maker Diageo Plc is on the verge of a financial windfall — not from a new blockbuster new drink, but from a championship-winning Indian cricket team.

The Indian Premier League’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru was sold on Tuesday to Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone, The Times of India Group, and Bolt Ventures for just under $1.8bn (€1.55bn). Diageo could reap more than half of that.