Detailed chronicle of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), from inception to their historic 2025 triumph:
π️ Founding & Ownership
Founded in 2008 as one of the original IPL franchises, bought for ₹334 crore (~US $111.6 million) by Vijay Mallya’s United Spirits .
Ownership shifted over time; today RCB is run by Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd under United Spirits, a Diageo subsidiary .
π️ Home Ground & Management
Home venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (capacity ~35,000) .
Coaching & Leadership 2025:
Captain: Rajat Patidar
Head Coach: Andy Flower (from 2024)
Batting Coach: Dinesh Karthik
Fielding Coach: Richard Halsall
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⚡ IPL Journey Highlights
Year Event
2009 First finals appearance – runners-up, lost to Deccan Chargers
2011 Again runners-up to Chennai Super Kings; same year, reached Champions League T20 final
2016 Third IPL final – runners-up to Sunrisers Hyderabad
2025 π Maiden IPL champions after 17-year wait – first title win
Playoff presence: Qualified in 10 of 18 seasons up to 2025 .
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π Notable Records & Performances
Highest team totals: Scored 263/5 (vs Pune Warriors) and 248/3 (vs Kolkata), top-tier records in IPL history .
Standout partnerships: Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers amassed 229 runs in 2016 .
Individual feats: Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175. Umesh Yadav has 14 three-wicket hauls .
Kohli’s dominance: Nearly 973 runs in a single IPL season .
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π₯ Rivalries & Fan Culture
Classic rivalry with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 36 matchups, KKR leads head-to-head, though RCB’s Virat Kohli scored the most runs (962) .
Iconic but harrowed by heartbreaks—three IPL final losses before 2025, reinforcing a reputation for dramatic highs and lows .
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π Franchise Worth & Fan Base
Valuation: Around US $117 million in 2024, one of IPL’s most valuable teams .
Online presence: India's most popular cricket team on Instagram with over 21 million followers .
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π 2025 Final & Tragedy
Clinched their first IPL title in 2025, ending years of near-misses .
Post-match tragedy: A stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium during victory celebrations led to 11 deaths and over 50 injuries. RCB announced ₹10 lakh compensation to each deceased’s family and launched “RCB Cares” .
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π Recent Tragic Headlines
RCB’s victory day turned somber due to a stampede; public safety oversights prompted strong community reaction .
Actor Kamal Haasan and others expressed solidarity; concerns around crowd management were raised .
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π― Summary
RCB’s journey is a tapestry of perseverance—from glamorous highs and stunning collapses to finally clinching the IPL crown in 2025. Their trajectory includes legendary performances, cult status among fans, heartbreaks in finals, and now a bittersweet victory shadowed by tragedy. With a dedicated squad, rich legacy, and loyal global following, RCB stands reborn as champions, while navigating the responsibility of healing a grieving fanbase
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#DeepakRana
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