RCB won the 2025 IPL trophy. Few teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have garnered as much attention and frustration as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Since its inception in 2008 as one of the most expensive franchises, RCB has built a reputation on star power, loyal fan support and near misses. Originally owned by Vijay Mallya and later taken over by Diageo, the franchise has thrived on and off the pitch.
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RCB’s big changes ahead of IPL: New rules, tribute and squad updateThe first years were contradictory. The Test-laden squad struggled in the inaugural season, but the team quickly bounced back and reached the finals in 2009 and 2011. Over time, RCB has become synonymous with brand names like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. Kohli, in particular, became the face of the franchise, leading for nearly a decade and producing one of the greatest individual seasons in IPL history in 2016, when RCB reached yet another final, but fell short.Despite frequent big-money signings and strong teams, the title remained elusive. Coaching changes, staff changes and inconsistency often held them back. Yet their popularity never waned and RCB became one of the most watched teams in the world.The long wait finally ended in 2025. Under new management and a balanced squad, RCB held their nerve in the final to secure their maiden IPL title, shedding the perennial unattainable mark and rewarding years of faith from players and fans alike.While the men’s team struggled for years to reach the top, the women’s team brought faster success. With the advent of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Led by Smriti Mandhan, they won their first title in 2024, marking the franchise’s first major trophy. They followed it up with another winning campaign in 2026, underlining their dominance in the competition.
