Royal Challengers BengaluruBreaking NewsCricket InterviewsIndian Premier LeagueIPLIPL 2025IPL and Franchise CricketIPL NewsIPL UpdatesRCBVijay Mallya
RCB’s Long-Awaited Dream Realized: Vijay Mallya Reflects on the Team’s First IPL Title
The Wait Is Over: RCB Lifts Its Maiden IPL Trophy
After 17 years of heartbreak, near misses, and countless memes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally ended their title drought by winning IPL 2025. The man who founded the team in 2008, Vijay Mallya, spoke to Cricbuzz from the UK, reflecting on the emotional moment, the team’s journey, and the unfortunate tragedies that followed the celebrations.
Celebrations Marred by Tragedy
What was supposed to be a moment of unfiltered joy turned sorrowful when several RCB fans lost their lives during massive celebrations in Bengaluru.
“It’s heartbreaking… they came to celebrate and didn’t return home,” said Mallya.
“I don’t want to speculate, but I offer my deepest condolences to the families.”
Despite being far from home, Mallya revealed he watched every match and remained emotionally attached to the team.
A Balanced Team Built for Glory
Mallya’s Observations on Team Composition
According to Mallya, the 2025 squad had a perfect blend of youth and experience, backed by strategic planning rather than emotional bidding.
“RCB weren’t impulsive at the auction,” he noted. “They built a balanced unit with depth.”
Names like Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Rajat Patidar, and experienced campaigners like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya were crucial to RCB’s dominant run. Interestingly, RCB created history by winning every away game—a record-breaking feat in IPL history.
Recognition for Patidar’s Captaincy
Mallya was full of praise for Rajat Patidar, the young skipper who led RCB to their first title.
“To captain a side with legends like Virat Kohli around is no small task. Rajat did it with maturity and calm,” said Mallya.
RCB’s Journey: From “Test Team” to T20 Titans
At the inaugural IPL 2008 auction, RCB was mocked for buying players better suited for Test cricket. Mallya admits that white-ball cricket hadn’t evolved back then.
“It was difficult to identify white-ball specialists in 2008. T20 wasn’t what it is today.”
But over time, RCB transformed. The likes of AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, and Virat Kohli became the face of RCB’s attacking brand.
IPL 2016: The One That Got Away
Mallya reflected on IPL 2016, a season fans remember as a missed opportunity. Despite a powerhouse squad featuring Kohli, AB, Gayle, Rahul, and Watson, the trophy eluded them.
“On paper, it was a dream team. But unlike 2025, it didn’t click as a cohesive unit.”
🔗 Related Article: IPL 2025 Final – RCB vs PBKS Match Summary & Highlights
The Power of Fan Engagement
Mallya believes one of RCB’s biggest strengths has always been its passionate fanbase.
“We focused on engaging with fans throughout the year—not just during IPL,” he said.
This commitment is evident in RCB’s massive social media presence, with the franchise having the highest number of Instagram followers among IPL teams.
What Could Have Been: The KL Rahul Factor
Though thrilled with RCB’s lineup, Mallya shared one personal preference:
“If I were at the auction table, I would have gone for KL Rahul. He’s not just a brilliant player—he’s a Bangalore boy.”
The Legends of RCB: Hall of Fame Talk
Asked about who deserves to be in an RCB Hall of Fame, Mallya didn’t hesitate.
“Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle—no one else comes close.”
These three players, despite not winning a title together, carried RCB’s legacy for more than a decade.
RCB’s Redemption Story
As RCB finally got their hands on the IPL trophy, Mallya received an outpouring of messages—even from people who hadn’t spoken to him in years.
“My dream has finally come true… I didn’t create RCB just to participate. I wanted us to win the IPL.”
Despite legal troubles and exile, Mallya still considers himself the franchise’s “chief fan.” While he denied any possibility of returning to India or reclaiming ownership, his pride in the team remains unchanged.
🔗 More on IPL 2025 at Cricbuzz
