The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have never lifted the prestigious IPL trophy. The franchise has been present in the league since its inauguration in 2008 but has failed to get a grasp on the trophy. 16 years later, it’s the women’s team led by Smriti Mandhana that has a chance to do what the men’s side couldn’t on March 17 in the WPL 2024 Final.
RCB’s story: Close but no cigar
Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore—these three teams have been there since the start. Mumbai has found success in both the IPL and the WPL, while Chennai has won five titles in the men’s league. But RCB has yet to taste victory, having participated in 16 seasons of the IPL and then the inaugural season of the WPL.
Having reached three finals in the IPL, these were lost by 6 runs in the 2009 Final and by 8 runs in the 2016. Their story has been so close so far. Their third final in 2011 ended in a heavy defeat at the hands of CSK by 58 runs.
Three finals and three captains have all faced defeat; now it is up to Smriti Madhana to leave the past behind and script the future.
Eerie coincidence or foreshadowing?
After scraping through a nail-biter in the eliminator against the Mumbai Indians, RCB is set to face the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the WPL 2024 Final. Interestingly, the men’s side also faced DC (Deccan Chargers) in the final of the second season.
In the inaugural edition of the league, both the men’s and women’s sides finished 7th on the points table, and in the second season (IPL 2009 and 2024), they finished 3rd in the points table. Now, whether this is a coincidence or a sign of what’s about to come to Smriti Mandhana and Co., no one knows.
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