Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Introduction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, formerly known as Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the ten teams that compete in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are one of the most popular teams in the IPL, and are one of three teams which have been part of the league since the first season but have yet to win the trophy. RCB have a new captain in Rajat Patidar for IPL 2025. They have been a competitive side with notable players since 2008, and have finished runners-up thrice - in 2009, 2011 and 2016. While they have consistently reached the playoffs stage, nine times to be exact, the title has remained elusive.

For the longest time, RCB held the record for the highest and lowest totals in IPL history. While they still hold the record for the lowest total, their record for the highest total was overtaken by Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024. They also hold the record for the highest total ever conceded in the IPL - 287 against SRH. RCB have always been a franchise packed with absolute superstars. Virat Kohli has played for them since 2008, while the likes of AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Anil Kumble, Daniel Vettori, Faf du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik and Kevin Pietersen have all been part of the franchise at some stage.

Due to their lack of titles, RCB have often been branded as “underachievers”, but despite the trophy, they remain a crowd favourite and are massively followed all across India. As things stand the RCB franchise is valued at US$ 69.8 million, making it one of the most lucrative IPL teams of all time.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru History

When the BCCI founded the IPL in the year 2008, RCB was one of the first teams to vie for a place in the prestigious league. The franchise was acquired by liquor baron Vijay Mallya for a whopping US$ 111.6 million, making it the second-highest bid, marginally lesser than Mumbai Indians. The team was founded by United Spirits in 2008 and the franchise name is after a liquor brand named Royal Challenge. RCB play all of their home matches at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

RCB did not have the best of starts to their IPL journey with lots of issues in their inaugural season. They won only four out of 14 matches, which led to Mallya publicly criticising Dravid and CEO Charu Sharma for their auction selections. It also led to the chief cricketing officer of the franchise, Martin Crowe and head coach Venkatesh Prasad resigning mid-season.

In 2009, RCB acquired the services of Pietersen for a record-breaking US$ 1.55 million. The move bore fruit and RCB qualified for the final where they narrowly lost to Deccan Chargers. RCB have qualified for the final in 2011 and 2016 but failed to make it past the final barrier. They have also qualified for the playoffs in nine of the 17 seasons so far.

RCB have had a number of captains over the years, but the most successful has been Kohli, who also led the team for the longest time. In February 2025, Rajat Patidar was named the captain of RCB. He takes over the reins from Faf du Plessis.

RCB Team Owners

When the IPL was launched in the year 2008, RCB were purchased by United Spirits for US$ 111.6 million. United Spirits, formerly United Breweries is the sole owner of RCB as of 2025. The team is based out of Bengaluru with its headquarters in UB City. United Spirits is a subdivision of Diageo, the English multinational alcoholic beverage giant and one of the world's leading liquor companies. The current CEO and managing director of United Spirits is Hina Nagarajan. As things stand, Mallya has no role in RCB after he defaulted on his loans in 2016 and left the country.

RCB Ex-Captains, Current Coaches, Home Ground

RCB captains (2008 to 2025)

Team's ex-captains: Rahul Dravid (2008), Kevin Pietersen (2009), Anil Kumble (2010), Daniel Vettori (2011), Shane Watson (2017), Virat Kohli (2021), Faf du Plessis (2021-2024)

RCB's IPL 2024 Glimpse

RCB had the most miraculous of seasons in IPL 2024. It had everything: drama, losses, fightback, and an entry into the playoffs in unreal circumstances. RCB began their IPL 2024 with a loss against Chennai Super Kings. Then came a win against Punjab Kings. But, RCB lost their next six games on the bounce. With just one win in eight games, and languishing at the bottom of the points table, RCB's tournament was as good as over. Then started the miracle. To qualify for the playoffs, RCB were required to win every game thereon and other teams' results to go their way. As it turned out, all the permutations checked out and they made it to the playoffs in unreal circumstances. They lost in the eliminator but RCB's journey to the top four was the talk of IPL 2024.

RCB in the IPL (2008 to 2024)

RCB have been one of the more inconsistent teams in the tournament, but is still one of the most loved teams in the league. In 17 seasons, they have qualified for the playoffs nine times and made it to the final on three occasions - in 2009, 2011 and 2016. The year 2016 was when RCB came the closest to winning a title only to be denied by SRH in a stunning comeback.

RCB in IPL 2025

RCB head into the upcoming season of the IPL with a new captain in Rajat Patidar and a strong squad. Virat Kohli is there, obviously, and is coming into the season in decent form. RCB had also retained Yash Dayal from last season and raised their RTM paddle for Swapnil. At the auction, they made decent buys in the form of Phil Salt, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, among others.

RCB players list for IPL 2025

IPL 2025 - RCB team players list

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (captain), Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone (Rs. 8.75 crore), Phil Salt (Rs. 11.50 crore), Jitesh Sharma (Rs. 11 crore), Josh Hazlewood (Rs. 12.50 crore), Rasikh Dar (Rs. 6 crore), Suyash Sharma (Rs. 2.60 crore), Krunal Pandya (Rs. 5.75 crore), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Rs. 10.75 crore), Swapnil Singh (Rs. 50 lakh), Tim David (Rs. 3 crore), Romario Shepherd (Rs. 1.50 crore), Nuwan Thushara (Rs. 1.60 crore), Manoj Bhandage (Rs. 30 lakh), Jacob Bethell (Rs. 2.60 crore), Devdutt Padikkal (Rs. 2 crore), Swastik Chhikara (Rs. 30 lakh), Lungi Ngidi (Rs. 1 crore), Abhinandan Singh (Rs. 30 lakh), Mohit Rathee (Rs. 30 lakh).

RCB Purse Remaining: Rs. 0.75 crore

RCB RTM Cards Left: 2

RCB Player Slots Remaining: 3

RCB Overseas Player Slots Remaining: 0

IPL 2025 RCB Retained Players List: Virat Kohli (Rs. 21 crore), Rajat Patidar (Rs. 11 crore), Yash Dayal (Rs. 5 crore)

What happened at the IPL auction 2025? 

RCB went with a clear-cut strategy and that was to leave out as many players as possible and build a team from scratch at the auctions. They only retained three players: Kohli, Patidar and Dayal, which left them with a huge purse coming into the auction.

At the auction, RCB splurged the most money on Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood who they picked for Rs 12.50 crore. They also picked up wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma for a mammoth 11 crore. Phil Salt went for Rs 11 crore, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar was picked up for Rs. 10.75 crore.

RCB also have a number of domestic talents such as Manoj Bhandage, Swapnil Singh and Rasikh Dar.

RCB IPL 2025 Full Schedule: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, matches, date, timings, venues

RCB begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders in what is the opening game of the tournament in Kolkata. They will then have a six-day gap and face CSK in an away fixture on March 28. Here's the list of RCB fixtures for IPL 2025.

Things to know and facts about RCB

• The team has never won the IPL but made it to the finals thrice.
• The team has the lowest team total in the IPL and has conceded the highest team total in the tournament as well.
• In 2016, Virat Kohli broke all records with 973 runs, which were the most runs in any season.
• In 2013, Chris Gayle created history by scoring the fastest century in the history of the IPL.

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FAQs

Who is the captain of the Bangalore team?

Rajat Patidar is the present captain of the team. 

Which is the home ground of the team?

The home ground of the team is the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

How many times did the team win the IPL finals?

The team has never won the IPL final. They have made it to the final three times

Who has won the Purple Cap in the team?

Harshal Patel won the purple cap for RCB in IPL 2021.

Who has won the Orange Cap in the team?

Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle have won the Orange Cap from this team.