Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Complete Guide & Titles
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the reigning champions of the Indian Premier League — twice over. After 18 years of near misses, heartbreak and one of the loudest fan bases in world cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted the trophy in 2025 and then defended it in 2026. This complete guide covers everything about RCB: their history, titles, captain, coach, home ground, records, the back-to-back championship seasons, and what to expect in IPL 2027.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru at a Glance
- Founded: 2008, as one of the eight original IPL franchises
- Former name: Royal Challengers Bangalore (renamed Bengaluru in March 2024)
- Home ground: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Captain: Rajat Patidar (2025–present)
- Head coach: Andy Flower (2024–present)
- Owner: A consortium of the Aditya Birla Group, The Times Group and Blackstone (acquired the franchise in 2026; founded by United Spirits)
- Colours: Red and Black
- IPL titles: 2 (2025, 2026)
- Final appearances: 5
- Playoff qualifications: 11
- Identity: “Play Bold” and the famous fan slogan “Ee Sala Cup Namde”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the title, after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
The History of Royal Challengers Bengaluru
2008: Founded by United Spirits, Named After Royal Challenge
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were founded in 2008 by United Spirits and named after the company’s Royal Challenge whisky brand. Rahul Dravid was the franchise’s first captain, and the team played its home matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium from the very first season. The early years brought promise but no trophy.
2009, 2011 and 2016: Three Finals, Three Heartbreaks
Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached the final in 2009, losing to Deccan Chargers, and again in 2011, losing to Chennai Super Kings. In 2016, they reached a third final and lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite Virat Kohli scoring a record 973 runs in that single season — still the most runs ever scored by a batter in one IPL season. The tag of “underachievers” stuck, even as the fan base only grew louder.
2013 and 2017: Records at Both Ends
Two IPL records belong to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and they show both sides of the franchise’s story. In 2013, Chris Gayle smashed 175 not out off 66 balls against Pune Warriors India, the highest individual score in IPL history, as RCB posted 263 for 5 — still the highest team total in the league’s history until Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 287 in 2024. In 2017, the same franchise was bowled out for 49 by Kolkata Knight Riders, the lowest total in IPL history.
2020 to 2024: Playoff Regulars Again
After missing the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to the top four in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and again in 2024. Virat Kohli led the side until 2021, Faf du Plessis took over from 2022, and Andy Flower became head coach in 2024. The team was consistently competitive, but the trophy still would not come.
2025: The First Title After 18 Years
The wait ended on 3 June 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Rajat Patidar, scored 190 for 9 against Punjab Kings, and then held their nerve in the final over to win by six runs (Punjab Kings finished on 184 for 7). Krunal Pandya, with 2 for 17, was Player of the Match. Virat Kohli, with the franchise since its first season in 2008, finally had an IPL winners’ medal after 18 years. The celebrations in Bengaluru the following day were marred by a stampede that claimed 11 lives, a tragedy that remains part of the story of that first title.
IPL 2026: Defending Champions, Back-to-Back Titles
Royal Challengers Bengaluru entered 2026 as defending champions and played like them. They finished the league stage at the top of the IPL points table with 18 points from 9 wins and 5 losses, ahead of Gujarat Titans on net run rate (+0.783). In Qualifier 1, they beat Gujarat Titans by 92 runs to reach the final.
The final, again against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad on 31 May 2026, followed the same script. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, RCB restricted Gujarat to 155 for 8, with Rasikh Dar Salam taking 3 for 27 and Josh Hazlewood 2 for 37. Virat Kohli then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls as RCB reached 161 for 5 in 18 overs to win by five wickets and claim their second title in two seasons. For the full story of that night, read our RCB IPL 2026 champions article, and for the auction picture read our IPL 2027 auction guide.
Home Ground: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with a capacity of around 35,000, is one of the great batting grounds in world cricket. Its small boundaries and true pitch produce some of the highest scores in the IPL — including RCB’s own 263 for 5 in 2013 — and its crowd is among the loudest in the league. Visiting bowlers know that no total is safe at Chinnaswamy, and RCB’s batting-heavy sides have always been built for it.
Identity: Play Bold and “Ee Sala Cup Namde”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s identity is red and black, built around the “Play Bold” slogan and the lion badge. The fan slogan “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (“This year, the cup is ours”) became famous across India during the long title drought, repeated every season with hope and humour. After 2025, fans changed it to “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” — “This year, the cup is ours” turned into “This year, the cup is ours” as a statement of fact. No IPL fan base has waited longer, or celebrated louder.
Captain, Coach and Key Players
Rajat Patidar (captain): Patidar took over the captaincy in 2025 and led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to both titles. His record as captain is remarkable: 20 wins from 28 matches, a win percentage of 71.42%, the best among RCB captains. Calm under pressure, he has been the right leader at the right time.
Andy Flower (head coach): Flower has been head coach since 2024 and built the balanced side that won back-to-back titles. Dinesh Karthik, the former RCB wicketkeeper, serves as batting coach.
Virat Kohli (the heartbeat): Kohli has been with Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the first season in 2008, captained the side for nine seasons, and is the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer. His 973 runs in 2016 remain a single-season record, and his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls won the 2026 final. He also scored 675 runs in the 2026 season, finishing fourth in the Orange Cap race.
Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Dar Salam: Krunal’s 2 for 17 won the 2025 final, Hazlewood’s new-ball spells set the tone through 2026, and Rasikh’s 3 for 27 broke Gujarat’s innings in the 2026 final.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Records and Stats
- IPL titles: 2 — 2025 (beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs, Ahmedabad), 2026 (beat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets, Ahmedabad)
- Runner-up finishes: 3 — 2009 (lost to Deccan Chargers), 2011 (lost to Chennai Super Kings), 2016 (lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Finals played: 5
- Playoff qualifications: 11 — 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Highest total: 263 for 5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013 — covered in our highest score in IPL guide
- Lowest total: 49 all out against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017 — the lowest total in IPL history
- Highest individual score: Chris Gayle’s 175 not out off 66 balls in 2013
- Most runs in a season: Virat Kohli’s 973 runs in 2016
- Back-to-back titles: Only the third franchise to defend the IPL title, after Chennai Super Kings (2010–2011) and Mumbai Indians (2019–2020)
- Record sale: Acquired in 2026 by the Aditya Birla Group, Times Group and Blackstone consortium for a reported US$1.78 billion, the highest valuation for an IPL franchise
Rivalries: Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings
The defining rivalry is the southern derby with Chennai Super Kings, the opponents in the 2011 final and the other great South Indian franchise. For the other side of that rivalry, read our Chennai Super Kings complete guide and our Mumbai Indians complete guide.
Punjab Kings are the opponents RCB beat for their first title in 2025, and Gujarat Titans are the opponents they beat twice in the 2026 playoffs and final. Both fixtures now carry extra weight.
IPL 2027 Outlook: Can RCB Make It Three in a Row?
The IPL 2027 season runs from 10 March to 15 May 2027, with 74 matches, and the IPL 2027 schedule page will carry every fixture once the BCCI publishes it. Before that, the reported IPL 2027 auction on 16 December 2026 in Goa, with retention lists due on 15 November 2026, is the champions’ first test of the new cycle.
Three questions will decide Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 2027:
- Can anyone win three in a row? No IPL team has ever won three consecutive titles. RCB have the core, the captain and the coach to attempt it — and the weight of history against them.
- Does the bowling attack stay championship-level? The 2026 title was built on Hazlewood, Rasikh and Krunal delivering under pressure. Keeping that attack together is the retention priority.
- What does the new ownership change? The record 2026 sale to the Aditya Birla Group, Times Group and Blackstone consortium brings new bosses for a champion side. Stability at the top will matter as much as form on the field.
If the core holds, a third straight title is a realistic target. If it does not, RCB still have what 18 years of waiting could not give them: the knowledge of how to win.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru FAQs
How many IPL titles have Royal Challengers Bengaluru won?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won two IPL titles: in 2025 and 2026, back to back.
Who is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Rajat Patidar is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He took over in 2025 and led the side to both titles.
Who is the coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Andy Flower is the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He has held the role since 2024.
What is the home ground of Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru play their home matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Why are Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s colours red and black?
Red and black are the franchise’s identity colours, tied to the “Play Bold” slogan and the lion badge.
Where did Royal Challengers Bengaluru finish in IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished first in IPL 2026 with 18 points, then beat Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 and again in the final to win the title.
When does IPL 2027 start?
The IPL 2027 season window runs from 10 March to 15 May 2027, with 74 matches. The full fixture list is expected around February 2027.
Conclusion
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are no longer the team that never wins. Two titles in two seasons, five finals, eleven playoff appearances and the IPL’s greatest individual records tell the story of a franchise that finally matched its fan base’s faith. The 18-year wait made the first title sweeter, and the 2026 defence proved it was no fluke. The 2027 season offers something no IPL team has ever achieved: three titles in a row.
For the full picture through the season, follow the IPL live score guide, the IPL points table and the IPL 2027 schedule page — and check the IPL teams page for every squad.
