BENGALURU: It took Royal Challengers Bengaluru 18 long seasons and three failed attempts in the title contest to finally lay their hands on the elusive IPL trophy. On June 3 last year, they edged out Punjab Kings by six runs in the final.The wait was agonising — stretched across near-misses, heartbreaks and unwavering belief from one of the league’s most loyal fan bases. But when the moment arrived, the celebrations were tragically cut short.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!June 4, 2025, altered Bengaluru’s sporting landscape in ways 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 landmark win. What should have been a day of unfiltered joy turned into one of grief and disbelief, leaving an indelible scar on the city and the sport.In the immediate aftermath, the title triumph faded 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 barred from staging games.ALSO READ: RCB SWOT – Balanced on paper, but rust, injuries and pressure loom largeIt took almost nine months of effort to restore a sense of normalcy. A newly elected Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) administration, led by former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, worked alongside state authorities to implement structural and logistical changes. Upgrades to infrastructure, revised safety protocols and multiple rounds of clearances were required before the government finally greenlit the return of competitive cricket at the venue.Last Wednesday, the return quietly began. A group of RCB players, led by talisman Virat Kohli, walked back onto their home turf for a training session. There were no grand announcements — just a sense of purpose. Kohli and head coach Andy Flower addressed the squad, setting the tone for what lies ahead — a season that is as much about renewal as it is about defending a title.While the memory of the stampede will never fully fade, RCB now step into a new chapter. They begin their campaign as defending champions — a position they have never occupied before — when they host Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season opener on Saturday.After finishing runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2016, RCB now carry the weight — and privilege — of being title holders. Only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have successfully navigated the challenge of defending an IPL crown.The question is whether RCB have the depth and resilience to follow suit.On paper, they do. But the road ahead is not without obstacles.The franchise is likely to begin the season without last year’s leading wicket-taker for the team, Josh Hazlewood (22 wickets). The Australian quick is still recovering from Achilles and hamstring injuries that have kept him out of action since Nov 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 surrounding pacer Yash Dayal. The leftarmer, who featured in 15 matches last season, has been absent from training sessions amid off-field issues, raising doubts about his availability.Yet, RCB’s think tank appears to have made contingency plans. A smart mini-auction strategy has ensured depth in the squad, with New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy in line for his IPL debut. The presence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a seasoned campaigner adept with the new ball and at the death, offers stability to the bowling unit.
THE KOHLI FACTORFor over a decade, RCB’s batting fortunes have revolved around Virat Kohli. That dependence only intensified after the departures of AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. Last season was no different in terms of output — Kohli amassed 657 runs, the 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 composed 312, and contributions from Jitesh Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal and Tim David provided the balance RCB had 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 only helps the team’s cause.One concern, however, is the lack of recent T20 game time for several members of the squad.Beyond 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 beyond him.For the team management, this is an opportunity to shape a more balanced identity — one that relies not just on individual brilliance, but on collective consistency.
