Royal Challengers Bengaluru Overview
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is a cricket franchise that competes in the Indian Premier League (IPL), established in 2008. The team is owned by United Spirits, which is part of the British beverage giant Diageo, and plays its home games at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium located in Bengaluru.
IPL 2025 Season Updates
For the upcoming IPL 2025 season, RCB retained crucial players including Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. During the auction, they made noteworthy additions, signing Liam Livingstone for ₹8.75 crores, Phil Salt for ₹11.50 crores, Jitesh Sharma for ₹11 crores, and Josh Hazlewood for ₹12.50 crores.
The much awaited Southern Derby showdown. The biggest blockbuster is here! 🎬🍿
Watch it live on @JioHotstar at 7:30 pm! 📺#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #CSKvRCB pic.twitter.com/Qthi1bxXgM
RCB’s Player Strategy
The team also welcomed other notable signings, such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar (₹10.75 crore), Krunal Pandya (₹5.75 crore), and Tim David (₹3 crore). The squad is a combination of experienced international stars and exciting domestic players. RCB is determined to win its first IPL title with this well-rounded team, and as of March 2025, Rajat Patidar has been named captain.
Team Profile
- Captain: Rajat Patidar
- Coach: Andy Flower
- Owner: Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd
- Home Ground: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
RCB is owned by United Spirits Limited (USL), a company under the British multinational Diageo. The franchise was originally acquired by Vijay Mallya in 2008 for $111.6 million but came under Diageo’s control by 2016 due to financial difficulties.
Historical Context
Since its inception in 2008 during the first Indian Premier League season, RCB has consistently been a playoff contender, securing runner-up positions on three occasions (2009, 2011, and 2016). Despite not clinching an IPL championship, the team has garnered a devoted fan base, known for their spirited play style epitomized by the motto #PlayBold.
Key Players for IPL 2025
New Additions
The roster for IPL 2025 includes several new players:
- Liam Livingstone
- Phil Salt
- Jitesh Sharma
- Josh Hazlewood
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Krunal Pandya
- Rasikh Dar
- Suyash Sharma
- Swapnil Singh
- Abhinandan Singh
- Swastik Chhikara
- Mohit Rathee
RCB’s Potential Lineup
Possible starting eleven for the season includes:
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Krunal Pandya
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Tim David
- Rasikh Dar/Manoj Bhandage
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Impact Sub: Swapnil Singh/Suyash Sharma
