RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL team, now officially Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is one of the most iconic franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for its passionate fanbase, star-studded lineups, and dramatic near-misses, RCB enters the IPL 2025 season with renewed hope. Based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, RCB has been a perennial contender but has yet to lift the coveted IPL trophy despite reaching the finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016. As of March 19, 2025, the team is gearing up for a historic campaign under new leadership and a revamped squad.
This season is special for RCB, aligning with Virat Kohli’s iconic jersey number 18—Season 18 of the IPL. Fans are buzzing with anticipation, asking: will this be the year RCB finally triumphs? With keywords like “RCB team,” “RCB match,” and “RCB vs CSK” dominating Google searches, the excitement is palpable. Let’s dive into the RCB IPL 2025 team, players, schedule, tickets, rivalries, and strategies to win the trophy.
Who Owns RCB and Who is the Captain in 2025?
RCB is owned by Diageo India Private Limited, a subsidiary of the global liquor giant Diageo, which acquired the franchise from United Spirits in 2015. Previously under Vijay Mallya’s stewardship, the team has grown into a $117 million-valued entity as of 2024, reflecting its massive popularity.
For IPL 2025, RCB has named Rajat Patidar as captain, succeeding Faf du Plessis. Announced on February 13, 2025, Patidar’s appointment marks a bold shift toward youth and homegrown talent. Retained for INR 11 crore, he steps into the spotlight with Virat Kohli as the team’s talisman, fueling speculation about RCB’s strategy to clinch the title.
RCB IPL 2025 Player List with Social Media Links and Records
RCB’s squad for IPL 2025 blends experience with explosive potential. Below is the complete list of players, their social media handles (where available), and a snapshot of their batting and bowling records as of IPL 2024 or latest available data.
- Virat Kohli
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 7,573 runs in 241 IPL matches, Avg: 38.43, SR: 130.61 (IPL 2024: 741 runs)
- Bowling: 4 wickets, rarely bowls
- Role: Batsman, former captain, RCB’s backbone.
- Phil Salt
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 435 runs in 12 IPL 2024 matches (with KKR), Avg: 39.55, SR: 182.01
- Bowling: Does not bowl
- Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman, opener.
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 604 runs in 27 IPL matches, Avg: 27.45, SR: 153.30 (IPL 2024: 395 runs)
- Bowling: Does not bowl
- Role: Middle-order batsman, leader.
- Liam Livingstone
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 939 runs in 41 IPL matches, Avg: 26.83, SR: 164.74
- Bowling: 11 wickets, Econ: 8.95
- Role: All-rounder.
- Jitesh Sharma
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 709 runs in 40 IPL matches, Avg: 22.15, SR: 149.47
- Bowling: Does not bowl
- Role: Wicketkeeper-batsman.
- Tim David
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 478 runs in 25 IPL matches, Avg: 29.88, SR: 161.48
- Bowling: Rarely bowls
- Role: Middle-order finisher.
- Krunal Pandya
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 1,652 runs in 125 IPL matches, Avg: 22.03, SR: 130.44
- Bowling: 73 wickets, Econ: 7.36
- Role: All-rounder.
- Josh Hazlewood
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 35 wickets in 27 IPL matches, Econ: 8.02
- Role: Pace bowler.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 181 wickets in 176 IPL matches, Econ: 7.52
- Role: Pace bowler.
- Yash Dayal
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 24 wickets in 23 IPL matches, Econ: 9.15
- Role: Pace bowler.
- Suyash Sharma
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 15 wickets in 15 IPL matches, Econ: 8.62
- Role: Spinner.
- Rasikh Dar
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 11 wickets in 10 IPL matches, Econ: 9.81
- Role: Pace bowler.
- Swapnil Singh
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: 71 runs in 14 IPL matches
- Bowling: 8 wickets, Econ: 8.76
- Role: All-rounder.
- Romario Shepherd
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 87 runs in 10 IPL matches, SR: 155.36
- Bowling: 8 wickets, Econ: 11.09
- Role: All-rounder.
- Nuwan Thushara
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 8 wickets in 7 IPL 2024 matches, Econ: 9.88
- Role: Pace bowler.
- Manoj Bhandage
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: Yet to make a significant mark
- Bowling: Yet to take wickets
- Role: All-rounder.
- Jacob Bethell
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: Debut season expected
- Bowling: Left-arm spin option
- Role: All-rounder.
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: 1,070 runs in 62 IPL matches, Avg: 19.81, SR: 123.27
- Bowling: Does not bowl
- Role: Batsman.
- Swastik Chhikara
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: Debut season expected
- Bowling: Does not bowl
- Role: Batsman.
- Lungi Ngidi
- Social Media: Instagram
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: 25 wickets in 14 IPL matches, Econ: 8.32
- Role: Pace bowler.
- Abhinandan Singh
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: Debut season expected
- Bowling: Pace option
- Role: Bowler.
- Mohit Rathee
- Social Media: Not widely available
- Batting: Minimal contribution
- Bowling: Yet to make a significant mark
- Role: All-rounder.
This squad reflects RCB’s focus on a balanced attack, with Kohli leading the batting, Salt and Livingstone adding firepower, and Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar anchoring the bowling.
IPL 2025 Match Schedule for RCB
RCB’s IPL 2025 journey begins on March 22. Here’s the full schedule with dates and venues:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 22 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| March 28 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | MA Chidambaram, Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| April 1 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| April 6 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Jaipur | 3:30 PM |
| April 10 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| April 15 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| April 20 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 3:30 PM |
| April 25 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| April 29 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| May 3 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| May 7 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| May 11 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Mohali | 3:30 PM |
| May 14 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| May 17 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | M Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
Note: Playoffs begin May 20, with venues TBD.
Why IPL 2025 is Special for RCB
IPL 2025 is RCB’s 18th season, mirroring Virat Kohli’s jersey number 18—a symbolic milestone. After a stunning turnaround in 2024 (six consecutive wins to reach playoffs), RCB’s reset with Patidar as captain and a bolstered squad fuels optimism. Fans believe this could be the year RCB ends its trophy drought, making every “RCB match today” or “RCB next match” a must-watch.
RCB vs CSK Rivalry: A Historic Clash
The RCB vs CSK rivalry is the IPL’s fiercest, pitting Bengaluru’s flair against Chennai’s consistency. Known as the “Southern Derby,” it’s a clash of titans—Kohli vs. MS Dhoni (if he plays). In 2024, RCB edged CSK in a playoff-defining thriller. For 2025, matches on March 28 (Chennai) and May 3 (Bengaluru) promise high drama, with “CSK vs RCB” trending across platforms.
RCB Match Tickets: How and Where to Buy
RCB fans can secure tickets online or offline:
- Online:
- BookMyShow: www.bookmyshow.com
- PayTM Insider: insider.in
- RCB Official Website: www.royalchallengers.com
- Prices: ₹2,000–₹15,000 (approx.), varying by stand and match.
- Offline:
- M Chinnaswamy Stadium Box Office: Opens 2–3 days before home games (April 1, 10, 20, 29, May 3, 17).
- Limited availability—arrive early!
Tickets for “RCB vs DC,” “RCB vs KKR,” and “Chennai Super Kings vs RCB” sell out fast, so book early.
Strategy for RCB to Win the IPL 2025 Trophy
RCB’s strategy hinges on balance and execution:
- Batting Depth: Kohli, Salt, and Livingstone must fire, with Patidar and Sharma stabilizing the middle order.
- Bowling Strength: Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar’s experience, paired with Dayal and Suyash’s flair, aim to curb opposition totals.
- Home Advantage: Leverage M Chinnaswamy’s batting-friendly pitch for “RCB match” wins.
- Rivalry Edge: Outsmart CSK and KKR in crunch games like “RCB vs CSK” and “RCB vs KKR.”
Consistency across the 14 league games is key to securing a top-four spot and dominating playoffs.
Conclusion: Can RCB Finally Claim Glory?
With a passionate owner in Diageo, a dynamic captain in Patidar, and a squad brimming with talent, RCB’s IPL 2025 campaign is poised for greatness. From the “RCB match today” opener against KKR to the “RCB next match” clashes, fans are ready to roar. Will Season 18 be the one where “Royal Challengers Bangalore match” history is rewritten? Only time will tell, but the stage is set for an unforgettable ride.
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