Former India coach and Karnataka cricketing legend Venkatesh Prasad has shared his thoughts on how the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) can end their long wait for an IPL trophy. Prasad believes that selecting the best XI players based on form and doing "a lot more" will be key to their success.
RCB is one of the three original IPL teams yet to win the tournament despite featuring in three finals. The franchise holds the unenviable record for playing the most IPL finals without lifting the trophy. Over the years, some of the greatest players and coaches in cricket history have represented RCB, but they’ve been unable to overcome the final hurdle.
During a recent AMA session on Twitter (now X), Prasad was asked about his opinion on how RCB could finally win the IPL. His response was simple yet profound:
“Play the best 11 according to form and a lot more.”
Prasad’s suggestion emphasizes the importance of form over reputation, ensuring that the most in-form players get opportunities to perform under pressure.
RCB showcased their resilience in IPL 2024, making a remarkable comeback after being in the bottom two halfway through the season. They climbed to fourth place in the points table and made it to the playoffs, demonstrating the quality and character of the team.
However, their journey ended in the Eliminator, where they were narrowly defeated by the Rajasthan Royals in a closely contested match. Once again, RCB fell short of breaking their title drought.
As IPL 2025 approaches, RCB remains one of the few teams without a confirmed captain. The team released former skipper Faf du Plessis ahead of the auction but didn’t sign an obvious replacement.
Speculation is rife that Virat Kohli might take over the captaincy once again. Head coach Andy Flower, however, has remained tight-lipped about the leadership decision. In an interview with SportsTak, he hinted at a "new era" for the team but provided no concrete answers:
“You’re going to have to wait for the outcome. It’s a new era that we are going into, the start of a three-year cycle, and I’m sure the anticipation will be good for you.”
Here’s a look at RCB’s squad for the upcoming season: