Royal Challengers Bangalore

Although they are yet to taste victory, RCB have been one of the tournament’s most consistent teams and have qualified for the Playoffs in each of the last three seasons. Ahead of what is set to be another pulsating tournament, there is optimism that this could finally be their year. Here is everything you need to know about the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.

Latest Royal Challengers Bangalore News

Standout Royal Challengers Bangalore Players

Captain – Faf de Pelssis

The Royal Challengers Bangalore captain is Faf du Plessis. This will be du Plessis’s second season as skipper following the resignation of Indian legend Virat Kohli, who captained the side between 2011 and 2021.

While Kohli left huge shoes to fill, du Plessis excelled in the role and came close to finally ending RCB’s long wait for that coveted IPL title. A strong and dynamic leader, du Plessis certainly isn’t afraid to lead from the front and seems to have molded the team to reflect his image. Another big season is expected from RCB where anything but a tournament victory will be deemed as a failure. With the pressure set to be at its highest, du Plessis looks to be the perfect man for the job.

Best bowler – Wanindu Hasaranga 

When it comes to success in the IPL, it can pay to have a world-class spin bowler, and in Wanindu Hasaranga, RCB have one of the best spin bowlers in the game. A veteran of this format, Hasaranga is currently ranked as the second best T20 bowler in the world. 

This will be Hasaranga’s second season with the team after being drafted back in 2022. His debut season offered some real signs of encouragement with Hasaranga finishing second in the race for the purple cap. He only finished one wicket short of eventual winner Yuzvendra Chahal.

A special mention should be given to seamer Josh Hazelwood, who is yet another weapon for RCB to call upon. Hazelwood is currently ranked as the fourth best T20 bowler in the world and has the capabilities to blow any batting lineup apart.

Best batsman – Virat Kohli

When it comes to considering who the best batsman of RCB is, it’s difficult to look beyond the talents of Virat Kohli. Kohli is a true legend of the game and one of the biggest sports stars in the world. Kohli is not only the highest run scorer in the history of the IPL, but he has also scored the most T20 runs at the international level. 

Last year, Kohli had a poor season and found himself nowhere near the race for the Orange Cap that is awarded to the tournament’s leading run scorer. Kohli won the Orange Cap back in 2016, and he will be hopeful of securing it once again as he attempts to win one of the only prizes that still alludes him.

Best player – Virat Kohli

There is a reason as to why the Royal Challengers Bangalore have been touted by many as the favorites for this year’s tournament as they have the squad and players that look capable of making a deep run.

The modern T20 game is all about explosiveness, with players able to change the narrative of a match in just a couple of overs. RCB can boast both Finn Allen and Glenn Maxwell, and both players are capable of sending the ball to all parts of the ground. If they fail to fire, RCB can call upon the experience of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Kohli is the team’s talisman and heads into this year’s tournament in good form following a positive showing for India in the T20 World Cup. 

On paper, it looks like RCB have the best bowling attack in the tournament. Josh Hazelwood and Mohammed Siraj are two of the game’s best quick bowlers, and they will be ably supported by the devastating pace of Reece Topley and guile of Wanindu Hasaranga. 

The Royal Challengers Bangalore players will be determined to make this year the year they finally win the IPL, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they ended up going all the way.

Owner – United Spirits / Diageo Group

The Royal Challengers Bangalore owner is United Spirits, which is a subsidiary of the global drinks giant Diageo. United Spirits has owned the team since the IPL’s inception, and the name Royal Challengers is derived from one of the company’s liquor brands, ‘Royal Challenge.’

Win-loss record and IPL titles 

Win-loss (since 2008) – 220/107/113

Total IPL titles – 0

Despite never having won the IPL, RCB have been one of the most consistent teams in the history of the tournament – this has particularly been the case in the last three years, where the team has finished in the top four of the main group phase and qualified for the Playoffs.

Although RCB have lost in the final three times, they last reached that stage back in 2016. Frustratingly for fans of the franchise, they have lost in the semifinal phase of the tournament in each of the last three years. With a squad that contains a blend of experience and exciting prospects, many will hope that this could finally be the year that they taste success.

Highest score – 263/5 vs. Pune Warriors (2013)

The highest score that the Royal Challengers Bangalore have ever posted came back in 2013 when RCB posted a total of 263 on their way to smashing the Pune Warriors. It was a day of records, as RCB opener Chris Gayle would play one of the best innings in T20 history as he bludgeoned his way to a score of 175 off just 66 balls. Gayle’s innings included 13 fours and 17 sixes. To this day, both RCB’s score of 263 and Gayle’s 175 remain the highest respective totals in IPL history.