The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team fans use “Ee Sala Cup Namde” as their main IPL chant even though it means “this year the cup will be ours” in Kannada language. AB de Villiers shared an insight that Virat Kohli his South African cricket partner advised him to completely avoid the chant.
Despite having one of the most devoted fan followings and breaking numerous franchise league records, the Bengaluru-based team has not won a single title in the last 18 seasons, despite making it to three finals. In a recent appearance on the Star Sports Press Room, the former IPL player discussed why Kohli had banned him from using the term and the reason why RCB had failed to win the championship for eighteen years despite having some of the world’s greatest players.
“I honestly, said those words the other day and I got a direct message from Virat, and he said, please just stop doing that now. So I got into a bit of trouble. But to be fair, I am exhausted saying it all the time, that the trophy is coming this season. Guys, it is the IPL, there are 10 world-class teams that could possibly even win a World Cup, never mind the IPL. It is an incredibly difficult tournament to win.”
AB de Villiers
“There are so many factors that play a role from travelling, different teams, different strategies, and injuries. So many things change throughout the season, but it is the team that manages to find a way to keep that fuel in the tank for the back end of the tournament that generally comes out on top. The teams that make their home advantage count, we see them come out on top. So I hope that this is the year, the 18th season, number 18 on the back. I will be there to lift that trophy with Virat if it happens.”
AB de Villiers
With the appointment of Rajat Patidar as their new captain, RCB has begun anew in terms of leadership. After his predecessor, Faf Du Plessis, left to join the Delhi Capitals prior to the 2025 season, the Madhya Pradesh batsman will be the seventh captain to lead this team. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made his debut with the team in the Champions League in 2009–10, will also be rejoining them for the upcoming season.
