The consecutive victories of RCB in the 2025 and 2026 IPL are the result of years of waiting, perseverance, and hard work. Where the winning of a tournament seems a fleeting moment of joy for other teams, for RCB, it was years of manifestation that became reality in the 2025 finals. From the current team members and staff to ex-players like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, all have come to join the celebration and to witness the day for which they contributed during their tenure. But the real journey of this team goes back to its inception—auctions, close tournaments, and a change of ownership combined to cement its position as a winning team. Let's reminisce about the journey of RCB.
The Birth of the Franchise
The inception of the IPL consisted of eight teams. RCB was sold for the second-highest bid of $111.6 million by Vijay Mallya, then chairman of United Spirits Limited. He named the team after the premier liquor brand, Royal Challenge. However, because of legal troubles, Mallya stepped down from power in 2016, after which the franchise was taken over by Diageo, which had acquired the major share of USL. During their control, RCB won their maiden IPL title. The following year, they sold the RCB franchise for a sum of approximately USD 1.78 billion (INR 16,660 crore) to a consortium that includes the Aditya Birla Group, Times of India, Bolt Ventures, and Blackstone's perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE. After this deal, USL stated that both RCB teams, which were being run by its subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, will now be "owned and operated" by the consortium. Under this new ownership, the team continued its form and once again emerged as a winner.
The Virat Kohli Era
The owners, players, staff, and even time have changed, but one thing that remains the same is Virat Kohli's loyalty and prolific batting for RCB. His struggle and yearning for the trophy became the dream of all cricket fans. More than anything, they wanted to see Virat Kohli lift the trophy; therefore, when they won the 2025 IPL title, the captain, Rajat Patidar, said that Virat Kohli and all the fans deserve this win more than anyone else—reaffirming the years of effort that came to fruition after the long wait of 18 years. While celebrating his maiden IPL win, Kohli said, "I have invested my youth, energy, and experience in RCB. We attempted to win the title every year. I did everything possible. It feels surreal to eventually lift the trophy." That win redefined the IPL tournament, as the whole country united to celebrate the victory of the team.
The Title Win(s) — Redemption at Last
For RCB, victory came after taking its share of time, but once it came, the team ensured to hold on to it by defending the title in 2026. The 2025 finale was between RCB and Punjab Kings—both teams had not won a single IPL title and were eager to change that. RCB came to bat first, and with the help of their upper and middle batting line-up, they were able to set a total of 190, where Virat Kohli contributed the highest 43 runs, followed by Rajat Patidar with 26 runs. Although Punjab Kings showed dynamic batting initially, the fall of wickets and Krunal Pandya's spell — where he gave only 17 runs and took 2 wickets in four overs — cemented RCB's maiden win.
Continuing the form the following year, the RCB team showed no intent of backing down. Their balanced line-up saw them finish at the top of the table. They won against the Gujarat Titans in both the qualifier and the final, with the help of Chase Master Virat Kohli's unbeaten 75 in chasing the target of 156 in the final.
Records and Legacy
Behind every outstanding franchise lies a trail of records, and RCB's is as dramatic as their story. They hold the record for both the highest team total in IPL history — 263/5 against Pune Warriors India in 2013 — and the lowest, having been bowled out for just 49 runs. Virat Kohli, the most prolific batter in IPL history, has played every single match of his career in RCB colours, scoring a record 973 runs in the 2016 season alone—a campaign that took the team agonisingly close to the title. The iconic 229-run partnership between Kohli and AB de Villiers against the Gujarat Lions that same year remains the highest in RCB's history. These records are not just statistics—they are milestones in a story that took 18 years to reach its destination.
Final Thought
RCB's journey is unlike anything else in the IPL. It is a story of a franchise that was built on ambition, tested by heartbreak, and ultimately defined by resilience. From Vijay Mallya's audacious $111.6 million bid in 2008 to back-to-back championships in 2025 and 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has transformed from the league's most lovable underachievers into its reigning dynasty. At the centre of it all stands Virat Kohli—a man who gave 18 years of his prime to one team, one city, and one dream. For RCB fans who chanted "Ee Sala Cup Namde"—this year, the cup is ours—season after season, the wait is finally, gloriously over.
