Royal Challengers Bengaluru
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RCB Official Logo | |
| Short Name | RCB |
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| League | Indian Premier League (IPL) |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Owner(s) | United Spirits (Diageo) |
| City / Region | Bangalore, Karnataka |
| Home Ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| Stadium Capacity | 40,000 |
| Team Colors |
Red & Black |
| Captain | Rajat Patidar (2025–present) |
| Head Coach | Andy Flower (2024–present) |
| IPL Titles | 1 |
| Website | Official website |
History
When the Indian Premier League first started in 2008, Vijay Mallya bought the Bengaluru team for US$111.6 million, the second-highest bid at the time. This marked the beginning of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) journey. The team's first captain and iconic player was Rahul Dravid. RCB struggled in the first season, finishing seventh despite having a star-studded roster that included Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, and Jacques Kallis. Under Anil Kumble's leadership, the team advanced to its first IPL final in 2009 but lost to Deccan Chargers, placing second. They continued to play competitively in 2010, earning a spot in the Champions League Twenty20.
Thanks to Chris Gayle's outstanding performances, RCB advanced to the IPL final once more in 2011. However, they lost to the Mumbai Indians in the CLT20 final and finished second to Chennai Super Kings. Gayle led the tournament in runs scored in 2012, but RCB just missed out on making the playoffs.
Virat Kohli took over as captain during the Kohli Era (2013–2021), leading the team alongside celebrities like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. When Kohli amassed a record 973 runs in a single IPL season in 2016, it was the high point. RCB lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad despite making it to the final.
Home Ground
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka, is home to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The stadium can accommodate about 35,000 spectators and is well-known for its lively atmosphere, particularly during IPL games when fans transform it into a sea of red and black.
Team Colors & Logo
Vijay Mallya's well-known liquor brand, Royal Challenge, inspired the moniker "Royal Challengers." The RC emblem with a lion crest, which stands for bravery and strength, was used in the team's early logos. The logo underwent significant redesigns in 2016 and 2020, and it was revised in 2024 after the team changed its name to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The team's jerseys and branding are traditionally associated with the colors red and black, which stand for aggression, power, and passion.
Key Personnel
- Owner: United Spirits
- Captain: Rajat Patidar
- Head Coach: Andy Flower
- Batting Coach: Dinesh Karthik
- Fielding Coach: Richard Halsall
Current Squad
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar | Batter |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| Phil Salt | WK-Batter |
| Jitesh Sharma | WK-Batter |
| Jordan Cox | WK-Batter |
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder |
| Swapnil Singh | All-Rounder |
| Tim David | All-Rounder |
| Romario Shepherd | All-Rounder |
| Jacob Bethell | All-Rounder |
| Venkatesh Iyer | All-Rounder |
| Satvik Deswal | All-Rounder |
| Mangesh Yadav | All-Rounder |
| Vicky Ostwal | All-Rounder |
| Vihaan Malhotra | All-Rounder |
| Kanishk Chouhan | All-Rounder |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler |
| Rasikh Dar | Bowler |
| Suyash Sharma | Bowler |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara | Bowler |
| Abhinandan Singh | Bowler |
| Jacob Duffy | Bowler |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler |
Notable Players
| Player | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Batter | All-time leading run-scorer for RCB |
| AB de Villiers | Batter | Legendary match-winner |
| Chris Gayle | Batter | Explosive opener, Orange Cap winner |
| Anil Kumble | Bowler | Led RCB to 2009 final |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Bowler | Leading wicket-taker for RCB |
Achievements & Records
After placing second three times in 2009, 2011, and 2016, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) championship was a historic event for the team. The victory put an end to the team's protracted wait and made RCB the first-ever IPL champions.
Performance & Season Summary
| Year | Matches | Won | Lost | Group Stage | Final Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2009 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 3rd out of 8 | Runners-up |
| 2010 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 4th out of 8 | Third place |
| 2011 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 1st out of 10 | Runners-up |
| 2012 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 5th out of 9 | League stage |
| 2013 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 5th out of 9 | League stage |
| 2014 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2015 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 3rd out of 8 | Third place |
| 2016 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 2nd out of 8 | Runners-up |
| 2017 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 8th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2018 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 6th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2019 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 8th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2020 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2021 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 3rd out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2022 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 4th out of 10 | Third place |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 6th out of 10 | League stage |
| 2024 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 4th out of 10 | Playoffs |
| 2025 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 2nd out of 10 | Champions |
Fan Base & Popularity
One of the biggest and most fervent fan bases in the IPL is that of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Chants like "RCB! RCB!" and "Ee Sala Cup Namde" are well-known among their supporters. At Chinnaswamy Stadium, home games frequently turn into a sea of red.
With more than 21 million Instagram followers, RCB is the most popular cricket team. It was also the first IPL team to provide free Wi-Fi at its stadium. RCB's status as one of the most iconic teams in IPL history has been solidified by its star players, emotional connection, and historic 2025 title.