Based out of Bengaluru, Karnataka, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are one of the most popular franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). RCB, who play their home games at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, was founded in 2008 by United Spirits, a Diageo Group company.

RCB has played in three IPL finals thus far but has lost all of them. In the finals of 2009 and 2016, they lost to Deccan Chargers (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) respectively, and in 2011, they suffered a defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Also, RCB once held the record for both the highest and lowest totals in the IPL (263/5 and 49 all-out respectively). 

In IPL 2016, the then-captain Virat Kohli and the franchise had a year to remember. The maestro batter almost reached the milestone of 1,000 runs, registering four centuries. Meanwhile, RCB reached the final against all odds after losing five of their first seven games but lost to eventual winners SRH.  

RCB has been coached by Ray Jennings, Daniel Vettori, Gary Kirsten, and Simon Katich in the past.

Sanjay Bangar was named the RCB head coach ahead of the 2021 season. They managed to qualify for the playoffs but lost a tight Eliminator against Kolkata Knight Riders. It followed up with Kohli stepping down as captain of the side.

In the mega auction ahead of the 2022 edition, RCB roped in Protea stalwart Faf du Plessis and announced him as Kohli’s successor. The franchise made it to the playoffs with 16 points from 14 games but lost Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.

The franchise underwent a major transformation ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. RCB released as many as 11 players. They traded Cameron Green from Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal.

The franchise had a roller-coaster journey in the 2024 season, marked by a series of highs and lows that showcased both their resilience and areas needing improvement. The season began on a shaky note, with the team struggling to find consistency in their performances. However, a remarkable turnaround saw them clinch six consecutive victories, propelling them into the playoffs and reigniting hopes among their ardent fan base.

A standout performer for RCB was Virat Kohli, who amassed a staggering 741 runs over the course of the season, earning him the prestigious Orange Cap. His contributions with the bat were instrumental in several of RCB's victories, but the team's journey was halted in the Eliminator by Rajasthan Royals (RR). 

Throughout the season, RCB's bowling unit faced challenges, particularly in the powerplay overs. The team recorded the worst bowling average, strike rate, and economy rate in the tournament during this phase. 

Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, the Royal Challengers retained key players– Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal– to maintain squad stability while preparing for the mega auction. 

RCB approached the IPL 2025 mega auction with a clear strategy to strengthen their squad and address previous shortcomings. With a substantial purse, they made several key acquisitions to bolster both their batting and bowling departments.​

One of the standout signings for RCB was the acquisition of Phil Salt for INR 11.50 crore. Additionally, they secured Jitesh Sharma, another talented wicketkeeper-batter, for INR 11 crore. To enhance their fast bowling capabilities, RCB invested heavily in Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, acquiring them for 12.50 crore and 10.75 crore, respectively.

Additionally, RCB has handed Rajat Patidar as captain of the team ahead of a huge season in the lucrative league. The franchise would aim to get their hands on the trophy for the first time. 

(As of March 2025)