The Royal Challengers Bangalore have more than one single change about them this time around as they prepare to walk down the ground for their campaign opener in the new edition of the IPL.
The erstwhile bright but passionate colours of red are out and the newfound steak of excitement as brought about by “Blue” has made its debut on their jersey.
However, this is just one change.
What’s the other, you might ask?
The Royal Challengers Bangalore are now “Bengaluru” in a surprising recent name change that might, arguably speaking, not define the excitement they bring to the fore as much as their sheer cricketing prowess.
What’s in a name, said Shakespeare and to that end, the RCB, when fully expanded- bring to the table some mighty big names, whether you think of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, their captain Francois Faf du Plessis or the new pick- Cameron Green.
However, having said that, there’s more to RCB than just their IPL performances; they add to the inextinguishable spirit of the IPL in their own unique ways. Fiercely competitive, passionate and always bold, the RCB play a brand of cricket that can turn the tempo of any dull content into one of a make or break kind.
Even as mighty success may certainly have eluded them as on date but disappointments, from time to time, have done little to dull their timeless spark.
This couldn’t be defined any better than noting the three occasions where they came mighty close to claiming the coveted IPL trophy.
It was first in 2009 when they played the finals against the Delhi Daredevils (Capitals today) and lost.
A couple of seasons later, they faced off against the mighty CSK in the 2011 finals but Dhoni and company derailed RCB’s plans.
Finally, in 2016 and with Virat Kohli at the peak of his powers, the RCB faced a different challenge altogether in the final: SRH. But even on that occasion, the beating heart of the ‘garden city’ misfired. The quartet of Warner, Dhawan, Yuvraj and Cutting cut loose the line of hope that RCB were clinging onto.
But 2024, it must be reminded, is a brand new day. Hence, another chance to take a shot at glory, one that’s often left one of the most exciting IPL outfits in search of the crown.
Will this year too yield an elusive chance to capture the trophy?
Or will Virat and Faf combine an inspired performance prepped further by the likes of Green, Siraj and Topley to deliver the daunting?
(Image source- Official RCB Twitter/ X handle)
There’s been incessant talk surrounding the mega trophy win by RCB men’s women’s counterparts. Undoubtedly, Smriti Mandhana and her team delivered an inspired performance to reach the title, something they all crave.
Against that narrative, media has been quick at drawing comparisons between the women’s and men’s team.
But while the brilliance of Mandhana’s unit should certainly inspire the RCB, one should also guard against the unwanted pressure that tue capturing of the trophy by the women’s team brings onto the men’s side.
Their fierce search for IPL glory must not bear the face of desperation now that the women have been the first to do it.
Surely, the men too can. But first- they must play like their name as only can. Like a royal force in action, one that can be the ultimate challenger. Right, Faf? Agree on that one, King Kohli?