IPL 2024: In a big change, Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is up for a makeover for their campaign ahead of the seventeenth edition of the Indian Premier League. The side donning red and black is expected to change its name and turn up with a new name ahead of the season, which begins on March 22.
As hinted by their social media video shared on March 18 across their handles, popular actress Rashmika Mandhana can be seen erasing “Bangalore” off RCB’s name. The netizens believe that the team is up for a rechristening, as they launch their fresh campaign to touch the IPL glory.
If the reports are to be believed, the term “Bangalore” is likely to be changed to “Bengaluru” in Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ahead of the season.
The full announcements of the details will be done on March 19 as RCB stages the Unboxing event at their home ground – M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The event will be attended by several celebrities, including Alan Walker. Among the cricketers, who will be present at the Unboxing event, will be skipper Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Dinesh Karthik.
Notably, if it turns out to be true, RCB will become the third franchise in the history of the IPL to rebrand itself. Earlier, Delhi Daredevils rebranded itself to Delhi Capitals in December 2018, and Kings XI Punjab changed its name to Punjab Kings in January 2021.
However, it remains to be seen, if the move to rebrand itself brings in some change in the fortune for the franchise for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
RCB Performance in IPL Over The Years
Interestingly, RCB is only one of the three teams in the IPL, that hasn’t won the IPL title, despite being active since the inception of the tournament.
They have managed to get to the finals of the tournament thrice so far, but none of it turned out to be their day of days. For three years straight in 2020, 2021 and 2022 RCB did find itself in the playoffs of the IPL only to get eliminated later on.
In the last edition, RCB couldn’t qualify for the top 4. The Faf du Plessis-led side finished in sixth place with seven wins and as many losses in 14 matches during the league stage.
| Year | League standing | Final standing |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2009 | 3rd out of 8 | Runners-up |
| 2010 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2011 | 1st out of 10 | Runners-up |
| 2012 | 5th out of 9 | League stage |
| 2013 | 5th out of 9 | League stage |
| 2014 | 7th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2015 | 3rd out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2016 | 2nd out of 8 | Runners-up |
| 2017 | 8th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2018 | 6th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2019 | 8th out of 8 | League stage |
| 2020 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2021 | 3rd out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2022 | 3rd out of 10 | Playoffs |
| 2023 | 6th out of 10 | League stage |
It remains to be seen if the change in the name of the franchise brings up a good fortune for RCB as they eye their maiden IPL title. RCB is set to play the tournament opener with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.