Royal Challengers Bengaluru — IPL's Most Passionate Fan Base

RCB — Beloved but Elusive Champions

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are one of the IPL's most recognizable franchises, known for passionate fan support across India and globally but famous also for their near-misses in title races. Though they have reached multiple finals and semi-finals, RCB won their first IPL title only in 2025 under captain Rajat Patidar, beating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in Ahmedabad — ending years of heartbreak for millions of 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' fans.

Virat Kohli and the RCB Identity

RCB are almost synonymous with Virat Kohli, who played the entirety of his IPL career for the franchise before eventually moving on. Kohli's record-breaking 2016 IPL season — 973 runs including four centuries — remains the greatest individual batting season in IPL history. His loyalty to RCB despite title droughts made him a symbol of the franchise's journey.

M Chinnaswamy Stadium

RCB play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a small ground known for high-scoring matches and passionate crowds. The ground's short boundaries and good batting surfaces have produced some of the IPL's highest totals, reflecting RCB's traditional preference for explosive batting lineups.

The 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' Dream

The Kannada phrase 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' meaning 'This year the cup is ours' became RCB's anthem through years of near-misses. The phrase captures the passionate optimism of RCB's fan base, who are regarded as among cricket's most dedicated supporters — their turnout at away games is remarkable and their online presence among the most active in cricket.