Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made the Indian Premier League (IPL) Final in two of the first four editions. But they never got their hands on that trophy. In 2009, RCB was mightily close. They lost by just 6 runs to the Deccan Chargers. In 2011, they stood no chance against a very strong Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who beat them convincingly by 58 runs.
RCB’s Final Luck in IPL
Given their track record in the IPL by then, one would expect that RCB would have won a trophy soon. Well, we are into the 18th edition, and they are at the same place where they started: with nothing in their hands. Since that 2011 Final, RCB has made the Playoffs six of thirteen times. But they have reached the IPL trophy match just once, in 2016. It’s been a case of always being a bridesmaid, never the bride for them.
Rajat Patidar will do what Virat Kohli couldn’t
But that might change soon. One of the greatest ever to play for RCB, Chris Gayle, believes that Rajat Patidar will stand on the podium on May 25 at Eden Gardens with the IPL 2025 trophy in his hand.
Recently, Gayle spoke exclusively to InsideSport. The Universe Boss was posed with a simple question, ‘Will we have a new IPL champion this year?’ Not only did he say yes, but he went on to say that RCB will finally break the no IPL Trophy curse.
Beating CSK at Chepauk = Winning IPL 2025?
What was Gayle’s reasoning? The 2-time T20 World Cup winner has ‘seen a sign’ for success. On March 28, RCB played CSK at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. They hadn’t beaten CSK in Chennai since 2008. But after the game was over, this stat had changed. Not only had RCB beaten the 5-time IPL champions, but they did so with ease. Gayle reckons that this victory might be ‘a sign’ of something special that’s about to come.
“100%, and it’ll be RCB. Especially after beating Chennai (CSK) in Chennai, which we haven’t done (since 2008). After we (RCB) beat Chennai, I was like, ‘This is the change we want. This is a sign we need’ to bring it (the IPL trophy) home. I think this is a great milestone that should give them a lot of boost going forward. They look good, but it’s an early stage. 2 for 2 (match wins), so far. But every team wants to have a good start,” Gayle told InsideSport.
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) April 2, 2025
INSIDESPORT EXCLUSIVE
Chris Gayle loved RCB’s win over CSK as he touts the Reds to win it this season@Dafanewsindia #CricketTwitter #IPL2025 #RCB pic.twitter.com/sDRrgMgwIa
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