File Pic: RCB beat PBKS by six runs in IPL 2025 final (PTI Photo) BENGALURU: It took Royal Challengers Bengaluru 18 long seasons and three failed attempts in the title race to finally lay their hands on the elusive IPL trophy. On June 3 last year, they defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the final.The wait was excruciating — stretching through near misses, heartbreak and the unwavering faith of one of the league’s most loyal fan bases. But when that moment came, the celebrations were tragically cut short.
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IPL 2026 should be an audition for India’s next T20I captain Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!June 4, 2025 changed the sporting landscape of Bengaluru in a way few could have imagined. Eleven lives were lost outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in a stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations – less than 24 hours after their momentous victory. What should have been a day of unfiltered joy turned into a day of sadness and disbelief, leaving an indelible scar on the city and the sport.Immediately, the title triumph receded into the background. The tragedy also cast a shadow over the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium. The venue, which had hosted international matches for five decades, was banned from hosting the Games.READ ALSO: RCB SWOT – Balanced on paper but rust, injuries and pressure loom largeIt took nearly nine months of effort to restore a sense of normalcy. The newly elected administration of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), led by former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, has been working with the state authorities to implement structural and logistical changes. Infrastructure upgrades, revised security protocols and several rounds of permits were required before the government finally greenlit the return of competitive cricket to the venue.Last Wednesday, the return quietly began. The group of RCB players led by talisman Virat Kohli returned to their home turf for training. There were no grand announcements – just a sense of purpose. Kohli and head coach Andy Flower addressed the squad and set the tone for what lies ahead – a season that is as much about rebuilding as it is about defending the title.While the memory of the run will never fade completely, RCB is now entering a new chapter. They begin their campaign as defending champions – a position they have never held before – when they host Sunrisers Hyderabad in their season opener on Saturday.After finishing as runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, RCB now have the weight – and privilege – of being the title holders. Only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have successfully gone through the challenge of defending the IPL crown.The question is whether RCB have the depth and resilience to follow them.On paper, yes. But the road ahead is not without obstacles.The franchise is likely to start the season without last year’s team leading wicket-taker Josh Hazlewood (22 wickets). The Australian speedster is still recovering from Achilles and hamstring injuries that have kept him out of action since November 2025, forcing him to miss The Ashes and the T20 World Cup. His absence leaves a significant gap in both experience and control.There is also uncertainty around pacer Yash Dayal. The left-hander, who started 15 games last season, has been missing training sessions due to off-field issues, raising doubts over his availability.Still, the RCB think tank seems to have made contingency plans. Clever mini-auction strategy ensured squad depth, New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy in line for his IPL debut. The presence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a seasoned adept in the new ball and death campaign, offers stability to the bowling unit. KOHLI FACTORFor more than a decade, RCB’s batting fortunes have revolved around Virat Kohli. This dependence only intensified after the departure of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. Last season was no different in terms of performance – Kohli amassed 657 runs, third-highest in the league – but it marked a shift in the support around him.Phil Salt’s explosive 403 runs, skipper Rajat Patidar’s 312 and contributions from Jitesh Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal and Tim David provided the balance that RCB often lacked in previous seasons.The addition of Venkatesh Iyer further strengthens the batting order, bringing both power hitting and a useful seam option. Meanwhile, England’s Jacob Bethell’s recent form is only helping the team.However, one concern is the lack of recent T20 game time for several members of the squad.Aside from the immediate goal of defending the title, this season also represents a moment of transition. At 37, Kohli is closer to the twilight of his IPL career than its peak. While his presence remains central, RCB’s long-term vision will inevitably involve building a side that can thrive without him.For team management, it’s an opportunity to forge a more balanced identity—one that relies not just on individual brilliance, but collective consistency.
