Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB’s performance improved by leaps and bounds, as the franchise made it to the final in 2009 and the last four in 2010. Earlier in 2008, they acquired an upcoming star, Virat Kohli, who led India U19 side to World Cup triumph. 

Despite decent performances, Mallya was unhappy with the setup and made wholesale changes to the franchise in 2011. Daniel Vettori took over from Kumble, who retired after the 2010 Champions League T20. Top players like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers were roped in at the 2011 auction. 

RCB’s bowling attack looked weak; nonetheless, their superior batting made up for it, helping them reach the final again in 2011. They finished fifth in the IPL 2012 edition, and Kohli was handed the captaincy in the following season.

Off the field, trouble was brewing for the team owner, Mallya, who fled the country after being entangled in an economic scandal in 2016, the year when, under Kohli, RCB would reach the IPL final. But the Bengaluru-based franchise wasn’t third time lucky. 

RCB is one of the best T20 teams, but it doesn’t have the silverware to show. Their fans have also coined the phrase “Ee Sala Cup Namde.” (This time, the cup is ours!), but they have yet to see that dream being fulfilled.

From 2016 onwards, RCB has struggled for consistency. Kohli removed himself from the captaincy after the 2021 season. Under new skipper Faf du Plessis, the franchise reached the playoffs in the 2022 edition but failed to sustain the momentum the following season.