Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has remained one of the most talked-about franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for its star-studded lineup, enthusiastic fanbase, and thrilling performances, RCB has captured the imagination of cricket lovers around the globe.
Who is the Owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore?
RCB is owned by United Spirits, a subsidiary of the British beverage company Diageo. The franchise has always been a significant presence in the IPL, not only because of its ownership but also due to its commercial and branding strategies that have elevated it among the most popular teams.
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL
Since its inception in 2008, Royal Challengers Bangalore has been a key player in the IPL. While they have yet to clinch the IPL title, they have consistently been one of the most competitive teams. Over the years, RCB has boasted some of the biggest names in cricket, including legendary players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle. Their consistent showings in the tournament have cemented their place as one of the league’s most beloved teams.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Captain
Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made the decision to release Faf du Plessis, their captain for the past three seasons. There was much speculation that the franchise would target local talent KL Rahul to lead the team, but when that didn’t happen, many believed that the captaincy would return to Virat Kohli.
Kohli had led RCB in 143 IPL matches between 2013 and 2021 before handing over the reins to du Plessis. However, RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, chose not to reveal any concrete plans regarding the captaincy for IPL 2025. He mentioned, “Virat is a central figure and a senior member of the team, but we haven’t made any decisions about the captaincy yet. We will decide that later. He did send us some insightful text messages yesterday, offering his feedback.”
Currently, only Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have had brief stints as IPL captains, which makes Kohli’s potential return to the role seem like a likely option. With his vast experience and leadership history at RCB, he remains a strong candidate for the role, though an official decision is still pending.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Retained Players
Ahead of every IPL season, the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise carefully evaluates its roster and retains key players who have been instrumental to the team’s success. Some of the retained players for the IPL 2025 season include Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Players
RCB’s squad continues to feature both seasoned players and young talents who add depth and variety to the team. Apart from the aforementioned players, the team also nurtures upcoming talent that can bring the winning touch in the future seasons. The core of the squad has always been strong, but it’s the bench strength that provides RCB the edge to perform well in each IPL season.
| Sr. No. | Player | Country | Position | Base Price | Winning Bid | Capped/Uncapped |
| 1 | Virat Kohli | India | Batsman | Rs. 2 crore | Rs. 26.75 crore | Capped |
| 2 | Rajat Patidar | India | Batsman | Rs. 30 lakh | Rs. 4 crore | Uncapped |
| 3 | Yash Dayal | India | Bowler | Rs. 30 lakh | Rs. 1.8 crore | Uncapped |
| 4 | Liam Livingstone | England | All-rounder | Rs. 8.75 crore | Rs. 8.75 crore | Capped |
| 5 | Phil Salt | England | Batsman | Rs. 11.50 crore | Rs. 11.50 crore | Capped |
| 6 | Jitesh Sharma | India | Wicketkeeper | Rs. 11 crore | Rs. 11 crore | Capped |
| 7 | Josh Hazlewood | Australia | Bowler | Rs. 12.50 crore | Rs. 12.50 crore | Capped |
| 8 | Rasikh Dar | India | Bowler | Rs. 6 crore | Rs. 6 crore | Capped |
| 9 | Suyash Sharma | India | Bowler | Rs. 2.60 crore | Rs. 2.60 crore | Uncapped |
| 10 | Krunal Pandya | India | All-rounder | Rs. 5.75 crore | Rs. 5.75 crore | Capped |
| 11 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | Bowler | Rs. 10.75 crore | Rs. 10.75 crore | Capped |
| 12 | Swapnil Singh | India | All-rounder | Rs. 50 lakh | Rs. 50 lakh | Uncapped |
| 13 | Tim David | Australia | All-rounder | Rs. 3 crore | Rs. 3 crore | Capped |
| 14 | Romario Shepherd | West Indies | All-rounder | Rs. 1.50 crore | Rs. 1.50 crore | Uncapped |
| 15 | Nuwan Thushara | Sri Lanka | Bowler | Rs. 1.60 crore | Rs. 1.60 crore | Uncapped |
| 16 | Manoj Bhandage | India | Batsman | Rs. 30 lakh | Rs. 30 lakh | Uncapped |
| 17 | Jacob Bethell | England | All-rounder | Rs. 2.60 crore | Rs. 2.60 crore | Uncapped |
| 18 | Devdutt Padikkal | India | Batsman | Rs. 2 crore | Rs. 2 crore | Capped |
| 19 | Swastik Chhikara | India | Batsman | Rs. 30 lakh | Rs. 30 lakh | Uncapped |
| 20 | Lungi Ngidi | South Africa | Bowler | Rs. 1 crore | Rs. 1 crore | Capped |
| 21 | Abhinandan Singh | India | Bowler | Rs. 30 lakh | Rs. 30 lakh | Uncapped |
| 22 | Mohit Rathee | India | All-rounder | Rs. 30 lakh | Rs. 30 lakh | Uncapped |
How Many Times Royal Challengers Bangalore Won IPL?
Despite being one of the most popular teams, RCB has unfortunately never won the IPL title, which remains a major talking point among fans and analysts. They have made it to the finals three times (2009, 2011, and 2016), but each time, the trophy eluded them. The 2016 season was especially heartbreaking as RCB, led by Virat Kohli, had an excellent season but lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. Despite this, RCB’s fanbase remains optimistic, and every season brings new hope for a potential IPL win.
The Future of Royal Challengers Bangalore
Looking ahead, RCB’s journey is far from over. The management, under the guidance of their head coach and captain, has a clear focus on building a team that can eventually lift the IPL trophy. The loyal fanbase, often referred to as the “RCBians,” continues to support the team through thick and thin. The team’s youthful energy combined with experienced players gives them a balanced squad, one that could make a serious push for the IPL title in the coming years.
Royal Challengers Bangalore remains one of the most exciting and popular franchises in the IPL. With a strong squad, passionate leadership, and a loyal fanbase, they are always a team to watch in the IPL, even as they aim to add the elusive IPL trophy to their name.