Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) still is one of the glamorous side in Indian Premier league, that cricket fans love to follow. The team boasts of a massive fan-following, legendary players from over the years and has had unprecedented success, but has also endured its share of heartbreak and enters IPL 2026 with high agony hopes of winning its first title.
The dream title has continued to be elusive despite legends of the game in Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle and now contemporary power-hitters The likes of Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell. The franchise has been to the finals three times – 2009, 2011 and now 2016 – but never delivered enough for a championship. Having had a rollercoaster ride in IPL 2025, the RCB would be looking to do better and emerge stronger for the coming season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Overview
| Category | Details |
| Captain | (Expected) Faf du Plessis |
| Coach | Andy Flower |
| Home Ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| IPL Titles | 1 (won in 2025) |
| Owner | United Spirits (a subsidiary of Diageo) |
RCB Squad 2026 | RCB Team Retained Players
Batter/Batsman
Virat Kohli
Batsman
Rajat Patidar
Captain/Batsman
Phil Salt
WK/Batsman
Devdutt Padikkal
Batsman
Jitesh Sharma
WK/Batsman
All Rounders
Tim David
All Rounder
Jacob Bethell
All Rounder
Romario Shepherd
All Rounder
Krunal Pandya
All Rounder
Bowlers
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bowler
Yash Dayal
Bowler
Josh Hazlewood
Bowler
Nuwan Thushara
Bowler
Rasikh Dar
Bowler
Suyash Sharma
Bowler
Swapnil Singh
Bowler
Abhinandan Singh
Bowler
RCB Released Players 2026
| Players | Role |
|---|---|
| Liam Livingstone | All Rounder |
| Lungisani Ngidi | Bowlers |
| Manoj Bhandage | All Rounder |
| Swastik Chhikara | All Rounder |
| Mayank Agarwal | Batsman |
| Mohit Rathee | All Rounder |
Royal Challengers Bangalore History
Royal Challengers Bangalore has been one of the original eight IPL franchises in 2008. The early years were not without difficulties, but in time the team became known for its aggressive batting style and a worldwide fan base.
Their first major breakthrough was in IPL 2009, when RCB ended as the runners-up after a great tournament. They were the runners-up once again in 2011 as they were defeated by Chennai Super Kings in that final. The closest RCB have ever come to success was that memorable campaign in 2016 when Kohli went berserk and scored a record-breaking 973 runs, as his side made it to the final only to be outclassed by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Since then RCB have emerged to be a team that makes it to the playoffs, gets swashbuckling individual performances; but has struggled with consistency. Their IPL 2025 followed a similar pattern – brief moments of brilliance, good batting but inconsistency in crunch games.
With the 2026 season on horizon, franchise and fans will be hoping for a strong campaign and perhaps even their first IPL silverware.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Highs
- 2016 remains RCB’s best season, with Virat Kohli producing a miraculous 973 runs and that record safe.
- The team are one of the most widely supported IPL, boasting some of the highest average attendance figures in the world.
- Chris Gayle’s astonishing 175 vs Pune Warriors India – The highest ever individual T20 score of all time.
- In the season gone by (IPL 2025), players like Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli and Jitesh Sharma emerged as stellar performers reiterating RCB’s solid core.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Record Table 2008 to 2025
| Season | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Final Standing | Top Run Scorer | Top Wicket Taker |
| 2008 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 7th | Rahul Dravid (371) | Anil Kumble (11) |
| 2009 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | Runners-up | Jacques Kallis (361) | Anil Kumble (21) |
| 2010 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | Playoffs | Jacques Kallis (572) | Anil Kumble (17) |
| 2011 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 | Runners-up | Chris Gayle (608) | S. Aravind (21) |
| 2012 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 5th | Chris Gayle (733) | Vinay Kumar (19) |
| 2013 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 5th | Chris Gayle (708) | Vinay Kumar (23) |
| 2014 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 7th | Virat Kohli (359) | Yuzvendra Chahal (12) |
| 2015 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | Playoffs | AB de Villiers (513) | Yuzvendra Chahal (23) |
| 2016 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | Runners-up | Virat Kohli (973) | Shane Watson (20) |
| 2017 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 8th | Virat Kohli (308) | Pawan Negi (16) |
| 2018 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 6th | Virat Kohli (530) | Umesh Yadav (20) |
| 2019 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 8th | Virat Kohli (464) | Yuzvendra Chahal (18) |
| 2020 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 0 | Playoffs | Devdutt Padikkal (473) | Yuzvendra Chahal (21) |
| 2021 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | Playoffs | Glenn Maxwell (513) | Harshal Patel (32) |
| 2022 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | Playoffs | Faf du Plessis (468) | Wanindu Hasaranga (26) |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6th | Virat Kohli (639) | Mohammed Siraj (19) |
| 2024 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 7th | Faf du Plessis (562) | Mohammed Siraj (16) |
| 2025 | 16 | 11 | 4 | 0 | Champions | Virat Kohli (657 runs) | Josh Hazlewood (22 wickets) |
FAQs
Q1. Why was IPL 2025 the turning point for RCB?
Ans: Because that’s the year they finally won their first IPL title after years of close finishes.
Q2. Who performed the best for RCB in IPL 2025?
Ans: Key performers included Virat Kohli with 657 runs, and bowlers like Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Krunal Pandya who delivered in crucial moments.
Q3. What record did RCB set in 2025?
Ans: RCB became the first team ever to win all their away matches in a single IPL season.
4. What is RCB’s best IPL season?
Ans: Until 2025, their best season was 2016. After 2025, their championship-winning campaign became their greatest achievement.
5. Who is expected to captain RCB in IPL 2026?
Ans: Rajat Patidar is expected to continue unless the franchise announces a change.
