For those who aren’t cricket fans, it might be hard to understand why Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has never won an Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. They’ve had skilled cricket players throughout the years, especially with names like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Chris Gayle, and Glenn Maxwell.
However, this is only proof that cricket is not about individual players. It is a team sport, and it’s probably why RCB has been a team full of potential but without the ultimate success. It can be agreed that the team has had great seasons. An example is the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons, where they had a good chance of reaching the playoffs at some point.
They would often start strong but have a hard time maintaining the momentum. Despite having many star players, RCB has struggled to perform as a cohesive team, with all departments working in sync. This lack of coordination is a significant factor in their inability to secure an IPL championship.
What Fans and People in the Industry Are Saying
Many fans would agree that RCB is always lacking in the bowling department. They rely on batters so much. Former cricket player and 10CRIC online cricket betting app ambassador Harbhajan Singh recently discussed this. He says, “The people who sit at the auction must ensure they have a balanced team. Batting heavy side will not always win you matches. Till the time you do not pick good bowlers, you are not going to win titles.”
He also talked about how the team lacks local support staff who can help the bowlers and uncapped players.” Regarding RCB, it is essential to have an Indian in the management who understands the local grounds and Indian youngsters. They should go and watch their matches (domestic) and select them for the team. Additionally, it is crucial to choose good bowlers. Their batting has always been strong, but they falter in bowling somewhere.”
Some fans are saying the same thing. A fan on Reddit said that it’s probably not the owners that are the issue. Found on a Reddit thread: “Now the owners are Diageo, not USL. The problem is not with signing big players; it’s not grooming local talent.” Basically, they have to use Indian talent wisely.
Some fans also discuss how RCB is unusually given high media attention. Very few teams enjoy such luxury, and this can create immense pressure on the players. Teams like Delhi Capitals or Punjab Kings don’t receive the same level of promotion or hype, which makes RCB matches highly anticipated and often draws extra effort from their opponents.
For example, Andre Russell claimed that Virat Kohli’s presence motivated him to score 52 runs in 18 balls. Similarly, Steve Smith secured a near-impossible win for Rajasthan Royals against RCB. The high expectations and attention can sometimes bring out the best in opponents, leading to unexpected and challenging situations for RCB.
Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir’s comments on RCB not winning anything despite being flamboyant and popular highlight how other fan bases perceive the team. This perception can fuel opponents’ determination to outperform RCB, which can, in turn, make winning a title even more challenging for the team.
Another former cricket player, Michael Vaughan, has discussed RCB’s failure to win the IPL. According to the English batsman, they have to play as a team because they seem to be an individual-oriented squad. He’s also openly criticised former RCB captain Virat Kohli.
In a Cricbuzz interview, he said, “You know Virat of the old, when he just bats and plays, strikes at 130. I would say that’s the style of a player who will be valuable if the pitch is going to do things. The pitches in the Caribbean are flatter, and 220 kinds of becomes the par score. Of course, you have to strike at 180, but if the pitches continue to do what they did in the last two weeks, Virat Kohli is just batting; he has gone out three times just outside the off stump.
“That is the nature of T20; you got to go for the shots, where they will bowl about a fourth of his stump, outside into length, and get him driving through the offside. I think, in his mindset, he has come from the IPL and is probably carrying on the aggression. It might be worth someone in the Indian camp just telling Virat to play like you used to. If you can be the glue, the scores will be 150-160, and Virat is the glue; India will always get to that number.”
Wrap-Up
Now that the 2025 IPL Mega auction (November 24 and 25, 2024) is approaching, it will be interesting to see if RCB finally addresses its opportunities. So far, we only know that they’ve retained Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dawal. There is a rumour that Kohli will be RCB captain again, but nothing has been officially announced.
Other rumours include RCB wanting to sign players like Yuzvendra Chahal, Kagiso Rabda, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Some of these guys might be able to help with the team’s bowling problems. However, as we all know, the Mega Auction can be intense, and fans can only hope RCB signs players who can help them get the trophy.
