IPL: 7 Major records RCB team holds without winning the trophy

RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) has always been one of the most popular franchises since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the year 2008. Some of the greatest players like Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers have all been part of this team in the past. Their star player and former captain, Virat Kohli, is the only cricketer to represent a single franchise since the first season, which is RCB.

Despite having such a star-studded team, the elusive trophy has still eluded RCB. They have managed to reach three finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016 but failed to cross the line on all three occasions. After 15 long seasons in the league, their trophy cabinet remains empty. The Bangalore-based franchise has one of the most loyal and crazy fans in the IPL, as they follow their side passionately in every edition. The well-known slogan of ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’ means ‘This year the Cup is Ours’ is a yearly reckoning of all the RCB fans, especially the ones who live in the garden city of Bangalore.

The fans’ love and support for the team are visible every season as they hope their side will end the trophy drought soon. The loud chants of ‘RCB RCB RCB’ around the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore are heard in every single match from these fans. With the 2022 campaign ending in disappointment, the supporters and the RCB team would hope to come back stronger in 2023. Despite being without a trophy, there are some of the mind-boggling and unbelievable records that RCB has created in the tournament’s history. These achievements are astonishing and it looks like it’s never going to be repeated by any player or a team again in the league.

Let’s take a look at some of the records that RCB has created without winning a trophy in the IPL:

1. Highest team total (263/5)

RCB holds the record of smashing the highest total of 263/5 in the IPL. They did it against the now-defunct Pune Warriors India (PWI) side in Bangalore in the year 2013. Chris Gayle hammered an unbeaten 175 off just 66 as RCB dismantled PWI by a mammoth 130 runs margin.

On a gloomy afternoon, the Pune side won the toss and opted to field first. All the bowlers were taken to the cleaners by the Caribbean power-hitter Gayle as he played one of the most memorable and devastating T20 innings. His opening partner Tilakaratne Dilshan made 33 off 36 while AB de Villiers scored a blitz 31 off 8.

In reply, PWI could only manage 133/9 in their allotted 20 overs with all the six RCB bowlers amongst the wickets. Gayle also enjoyed picking up two wickets in his one-over spell to end a remarkable match for himself and his team. Notably, RCB also holds the record for the second-highest total of 248/3 which also came against a defunct Gujarat Lions (GL) side at the same venue in 2016.