Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that if Royal Challengers Bangalore win the Indian Premier League 2024, it will be the biggest moment in history. RCB are yet to win an IPL title from 2008, however, from the first season of the tournament, the franchise has had many big names. This includes Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Daniel Vettori, Yuzvendra Chahal and many more.
Royal Challengers Bangalore were able to qualify for the finals of the cash-rich league in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but every time they have faced losses. Also, the franchise has not been able to live up to the important moments of the knockouts of the tournament.
While speaking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan stated that he has never seen a franchise-fan relationship of any franchise like the RCB. Pathan said they have not won a single trophy in 16 years but they have a loyal fan base.
Irfan Pathan on Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fanbase
Irfan Pathan said, “I have never seen a franchise-fan relationship like RCB and their fans. They have the most loyal fanbase in the entire world. They haven’t won a single trophy. They came close a couple of times to winning that trophy.”
Further speaking in the conversation, Irfan Pathan said that the Indian Premier League 2016 was very special for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Virat Kohli. Kohli scored 973 runs at an average of 81.08 from 16 games whereas he slammed four centuries in the whole season. He scored the record for most runs by a batsman in a single edition of the Indian Premier League. RCB lost a close contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of the tournament and lost the game by four runs.
Irfan Pathan said, “2016 was a very special season for him and RCB. I thought that was the year to win. If Virat Kohli and RCB win the title, that will be the biggest moment of IPL history, not just RCB history.”
Virat Kohli was the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore until the 2021 edition of the cash-rich league. Faf du Plessis replaced RCB as the captain of the franchise and were able to make it to the playoffs in 2022 whereas they finished sixth in IPL 2023.
Great players like Chris Gayle, Anil Kumble, AB de Villiers, Rahul Dravid, and others have played for RCB in the past, but their inability to seize tournament opportunities has been their biggest weakness. The three-time IPL finalists have a tremendously devoted fan following that supports them in every edition, but despite having such amazing players, they have not been able to win an IPL championship.
This season, when they play at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium once more, RCB will be looking to snap their trophy drought in the IPL. The ODI World Cup pitch was excellent for batters, indicating that runs will pour in Bengaluru once more.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have brought in the likes of Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, and Lockie Ferguson into their side and will be wanting to win their first trophy in the 17th edition of the tournament.
The Indian Premier League is currently the biggest T20 league in the world. The IPL provides opportunities for players to showcase their talent on the world stage. The upcoming edition of the cash-rich league will be once again.