Royal Challengers Bengaluru formerly known as Royal Challengers Bangalore is one of the most popular teams of the Indian Premier league. Although they never won a trophy, still have a big fan base who come out in huge numbers to support this team ....
Royal Challengers Bengaluru haven't managed to win the trophy yet but they have reached the finals but failed to cross the finishing line every time . In 2016, Virat Kohli was on peak of his career and smashed 4 IPL hundreds in a season and single handedly took his team to the finals and it looked like RCB will break the jinx and win the cup but their batting line up failed against the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers and eventually lost the finals .
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru who had a lot of purse remaining for them in mega auction was looking to build a strong team around Virat Kohli for their future . Many criticised RCB for letting go of seasoned players in the auction and placing bids on unfamiliar players. Let's have a look what squad RCB have in this season
RCB is always known for entertainment and the entertaining brand of cricket they play. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have some good as wel as poor records in Indian Premier league. Let's take a close at them.
Highest Team Total - 263/5 vs Pune Warriors India on 23rd April 2013 at the N Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Lowest Team Total - 49/10 vs Kolkata Knight Riders on 23rd April 2017 at the Eden Gardens Kolkata
2009 - In the Second season of the Indian Premier league Royal Challengers Bengaluru under the leadership of Anil Kumble stormed their way into the finals but was beaten by the Deccan Chargers in a thriller match.
2011 - After a poor start to their campaign RCB brought in Chris Gayle as the replacement of Dirk Nannes and it was the best decision for them as Chris Gayle became the highest Scorer of that season but they again failed to beat the CSK in the final.
2016 - Virat Kohli was in the form of his life. King Kohli scored 4 hundreds that season and stormed RCB in the finals and also got a good start in final but their batting order succumbed under pressure and they lost the final to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru is one of the most followed teams of the Indian Premier League. Even though they have not won the trophy even once they have a huge fan base and we have seen some of the greatest players playing for this team. Rahul Dravid, AB De villiers, Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson and many more . Royal Challengers Bengaluru always featured a batting heavy team but their bowling has let them down many times . Virat Kohli is the only player to play for the same team in IPL in every edition of the Indian Premier league. Virat Kohli was drafted in this team when the team management selected him ahead of another Delhi player and this was a start of their partnership. When you think about RCB Virat Kohli is the person which comes in mind. He is the face of this franchise.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru is a proof of loyalty of fans . They always come out in huge numbers at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to support their team irrespective of their results. It's always a full house in Bangalore and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have most followers on instagram as well making them one of the most followed teams of the Indian Premier league. Huge fan following comes from their legend Virat Kohli who is also the most followed person from Asia .
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have had a bit of a highs and lows season many times , they had a huge success in 2016 as they reached the final . All credit must go the former skipper Virat Kohli who was in red hot form that season as he scored 4 IPL hundreds in a single season and also scored 900+ runs that season . Single handedly made his team reach the final. It looked like a dream moment for RCB as they faced SRH in the finals at their home turf M Chinnaswamy Stadium but Warner and his Orange army had other plans. Nobody cag forget the batting display which Virat put in that particular season. His hundred against the Punjab Kings (KXIP then) in a 15 over match with stitches in his hands was incredible. There was no stopping for Virat that season and in the final too Virat good a start but as soon as Virat got out the whole team fell like a pack of cards and eventually lost the final and the fans were left heartbroken.
P - 14 , W - 4 , L - 10
Many considered this team to finish in top 4 for unfortunately they lacked consistency and captain Rahul Dravid couldn't manage to bring the best of them . It looked like RCB lost their momentum in the first game of the Indian Premier League against the Kolkata Knight Riders when Brendon Mccullum smashed them in the first match itself . RCB couldn't bounce back after this loss and finished seventh in the points them . A poor start to their IPL journey.
P - 16 , W - 9 , L - 7
After a poor first season many people didn't put their bets on RCB but they managed to bounce back stronger . Kevin Pietersen was initially the captain but was changed after they lost four out of six games in the first half , after that Anil Kumble inspired an amazing comeback and RCB turned the tables and reached the finals but unfortunately ended up on the losing side in the final . Manish Pandey the Indian youngster became the first ever Indian to score a hundred in IPL in this season .
P - 16, W - 8 , L- 8
Successful campaign last year put so much pressure on Royal Challengers Bengaluru to perform well again in the season and they managed to do the same. It looked like RCB will win their first ever title after they defeated Deccan Chargers in the playoffs a team which they lost the final last year but eventually choked in a high run chase against Mumbai Indians. Robin Uthappa was a key performer throughout the season and won them game's single handedly but surprisingly this was the last time he played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
P - 16 , W - 10 , L - 6
The Kiwi star Daniel Vettori took charge of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and they had a poor start in the first half of the tournament. Injury to key player Dirk Nannes was a concern for them but Chris Gayle who came as a replacement of Dirk Nannes turned the season for RCB on his head. Gayle brought a new energy in the team and he took the tournament by storm by his powerful batting . It looked like no bowler could stop this giant and RCB will win their first ever trophy. Chris Gayle was also holding the orange cap that season . In the finals RCB faced MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings in the final and Mastermind Dhoni came with a plan against Chris Gayle and gave the new ball to R Ashwin in the first over itself. Ashwin managed to dismiss Gayle in the first over and RCB couldn't manage to bounce back after the departure of Gayle.
P - 16 , W - 8, L - 8
Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Chris Gayle after a successful year in 2011 and Chris Gayle continued on this way . It was another 700+ runs season for Chris Gayle. In a interesting qualification scenario Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed to win their last league match against Deccan Chargers to qualify for the Playoffs . Dale Steyn bowled a fiery spell of 3 for 8 runs and also dismissed Chris Gayle in that match . RCB faltered in a low scoring chase.
P - 16 , W - 9 , L - 7
This season marked the beginning of Virat Kohli as the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and another year were Chris Gayle scored 700+ runs . Who can forget his 175 against the Pune Warriors India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. But the fetch for the title continued for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in this season as well.
P - 14 , W - 5 , L - 9
Daniel Vettori, the former RCB player took the position of head coach and they paid a very huge amount to Yuvraj Singh in the auction . But unfortunately Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and Yuvraj Singh failed to deliver for the Royal Challengers. They only positives RCB had this season was Mitchell Starc and Yuzvendra Chahal.
P - 16, W - 8 , L - 8
This season was the beginning of a legendary trio Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers. RCB batting revolved around these three but Dinesh Karthik failed miserably this season which created loopholes in the batting order . Key performances from Yuzi Chahal, Mitchell Starc and Harshal Patel was gold dust for RCB . They lost on a spin friendly track in Chepauk against Chennai Super Kings in playoffs.
P - 16 , W - 9 , L - 7
A season which saw one of the best batting display in IPL by Virat Kohli . He scored 4 Hundreds in a single season and also crossed the 900 runs mark this season. Virat Kohli’s hundred against Punjab was a sign of his great determination as he scored hundred in a 15 over match with Stitches in his hands . RCB got to flyer start in the final as well but after the dismissals of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli brought the Sunrisers back in the game .RCB middle order failed and Sunrisers Hyderabad lifted the trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Virat Kohli was adjourned as the Most valuable Player of the season .
P - 13 , W - 3 , L - 10
The trio of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers had injury concerns and there was no perfect replacement for these players . Kohli and AB averaged below 25 in this season and their bowling attack never looked strong as well . Eventually RCB finished at the bottom of the table.This season they also got all out for just 49 against KKR in the Eden Gardens.
P - 14 , W - 6 , L - 8
After parting ways with Chris Gayle. There was a lot of pressure on Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers and they performed upto the expectations as well both the players scored 450+ runs in the season . They were supported by Indian Youngster Mandeep Singh who played in the middle order for them . But once again RCB bowling remained a concern and they couldn't qualify for the playoffs.
P - 14 , W - 5 , L - 9
Kohli took on most of the batting load again, with little support from the other batters. Death bowling remained a problem, the spinners struggled, and it left RCB with too much to do in the second half of the competition. Kohli was vocal about his frustration and helplessness and it led to a full overhaul of the coaching staff ahead of the 2020 season.
P - 15 , W - 7 , L - 8
With seven wins in the first ten matches RCB looked strong but lost the next five matches which led to qualification on the 4th spot . In the eliminator they faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad and then ended up on the losing side as well . Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost 5 matches in a row at the end of the season..
P - 15 , W - 9 , L - 6
RCB were within one hit of securing a top-two finish, but collapsed against Sunrisers Hyderabad to finish third, going into the Eliminator, where they came up against a resurgent KKR, who had won six of seven games to make it to the top four. RCB lost a tight game and Kohli bowed out of the side's captaincy without a title under his belt.
P - 16 , W - 9 , L - 7
After Virat Kohli left the captaincy this was the beginning of the new captaincy era of Faf Du Plessis . RCB played a better cricket than last season but again Qualified at the fourth position and faced a new team Lucknow SuperGiants in the Eliminator and beat them to play qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals and lost the qualifier 2.
P - 14 , W - 7 , L - 7
After the exit of Yuzi Chahal from the bowling lineup RCB didn't have any bowler who could support M Siraj in the season . Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli opened the innings and scored almost 70% of the total runs for the team . Which was not going to be enough in order to win a tournament like the IPL.
P - 15 , W - 7 , L - 8
The season was proving worst for RCB as there was only 1% chance of them to qualify after the first half but after that it was a story of a cinematic comeback .Royal Challengers Bengaluru won every match after that and defeated CSK in the last league game in a last over thriller to get into the playoffs in style . This match was one of the best games in the season and added fuel to CSK RCB rivalry.
Over the years RCB has witnessed some of the great players and captains . The likes of Dravid , Anil Kumble , Daniel Vettori and Virat Kohli have been a part of the leadership group of the team but surprisingly none of this skipper have managed to lift the title for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
RCB management is also known for looking after their players quiet well. Many greats of this field are a part of RCB setup throughout their IPL journey . Let's look at their support staff and administration.
CEO - Prathamesh Mishra
Manager - Soumya Deep Pyne
Owner - United Spirits
Not as per the wins perspective but from a fan armies perspective this rivalry is growing up after Royal Challengers Bengaluru knocked out Chennai Super Kings in 2024 and also won the first match of 2025 played between these two teams. The RCB fan base is giving a tough competition to the CSK fan base . Whenever these two teams meet it is always a battle between fans. Chennai Super Kings have won 21 and RCB have won 12 out of the 34 matches played between these two teams.
The battle of two mega stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. RCB Haven't managed to win most of the games against Mumbai Indians but these rivalry. MI vs RCB is always been a close fought contest . Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are part of this rivalry. In one of the match when the Mumbai Indians won in the last over it was later seen that Lasith Malinga bowled a no ball in the final over which went unnoticed by the umpires and skipper Virat Kohli was devastated by this decision .
Royal Challengers Bengaluru is a global followed team and even though they haven't won a trophy they have a huge fan base which also results in a lot of sponsorships for them.
Owners - United Spirits
Sponsors - Qatar Airways ( title sponsor) , Birla Estates , KEI wires and Cables and Reliance Jio.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) boasts a massive and passionate fan base, estimated to be around 35.3 million globally. They are known for their strong social media presence, with RCB having 17.8 million followers on Instagram, the most of any IPL team. Their popularity is also reflected in their high engagement on social media platforms.
Global Fan base :
RCB's fanbase extends across the globe, with a strong presence in India and other cricketing nations.
Social Media :
RCB consistently ranks among the most followed and engaged IPL teams on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).
“Namma Team” :
RCB fans are often referred to as "Namma Team" (meaning "our team" in Kannada) due to their strong regional support from Bangalore, Karnataka.
Loyalty Despite Setbacks:
Despite not winning an IPL title, RCB's fan base remains highly loyal and passionate.
Kohli Effect:
Virat Kohli's popularity as a cricketer has contributed significantly to RCB's large and passionate fan base.
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