In a major development following the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebrations, Bengaluru Police on Friday arrested Nikhil Sosale, the franchise's head of marketing and revenue. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, left 11 people dead and over 40 injured, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a historic celebration for RCB after their maiden IPL title win.

Sosale’s arrest comes alongside that of Sunil Mathew, a senior official from DNA Entertainment, the event management company responsible for organizing the public event. Authorities have also detained multiple other staff members as investigations into alleged lapses in crowd control and safety arrangements gain momentum.

Who is Nikhil Sosale?

Nikhil Sosale is a key executive at RCB, overseeing the team’s marketing and revenue operations under Diageo India, the franchise’s parent company. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in building the RCB brand into one of the most commercially successful franchises in the Indian Premier League.

Well-recognized within cricketing and corporate circles, Sosale was frequently seen attending IPL 2025 matches and events, often alongside star players and high-profile guests.

He notably garnered public attention after being spotted at several games seated next to Anushka Sharma, Bollywood actor and wife of RCB icon Virat Kohli, highlighting his close proximity to the team’s inner circle.

According to information available on his LinkedIn profile, Sosale is responsible for developing and executing RCB’s commercial strategies, brand positioning, and fan engagement campaigns. His efforts have been instrumental in driving RCB's off-field success, especially in merchandise, digital content, and sponsorship growth.

Nikhil Sosale's eduational background

Sosale holds a Double Major in Business from James Cook University, Australia, where he studied between 2008 and 2010. Beyond his corporate role, he maintains a relatively low public profile. His private Instagram account, followed by both Kohli and Sharma, suggests a tight-knit social network with around 600 followers.

He is married to Malvika Nayak, who heads business development and partnerships at Innoz Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The couple is known to be socially active and has been seen at several RCB-related events and private gatherings with players and their families.