Without end twelfth man: Why RCB followers stay loyal after 18 years and no trophy 

It has been 17 seasons, numerous heartbreaks, and nonetheless no Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. But, yearly, because the summer season warmth rises, so does the roar of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) devoted followers. Clad in crimson and gold, with voices hoarse from chanting “RCB, RCB” and hearts filled with hope with slogans like “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This time, the cup is ours), RCB followers return match after match, season after season, undaunted by the scoreboard. In a world the place loyalty typically hinges on success, the RCB fan base stands out to be resilient, passionate, and endlessly optimistic.

RCB, at the moment enjoying its 18th season, is among the hottest and passionately supported franchises within the IPL. Based mostly in Bengaluru, the crew was based in 2008 and is owned by United Spirits, a subsidiary of British beverage firm Diageo. Regardless of boasting among the largest names in cricket through the years, together with Anil Kumble, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Faf du Plessis, RCB has by no means gained an IPL title, which has typically made them the topic of memes and heartbreak in equal measure.

The crew had reached the finals thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016, however narrowly missed the crown every time. Their tagline, “Ee Sala Cup Namde, “ has develop into a rallying cry and meme rolled into one, capturing each the hope and humour of the RCB journey. And for his or her followers, the journey has all the time mattered greater than the vacation spot. 

Ardour and crew spirit

We spoke to the “twelfth man military”, as RCB fondly calls its followers from throughout the State, questioning why they proceed to assist the franchise regardless of not bringing dwelling a cup.

Talking to The Hindu, Rakhi Chadaga, a 29-year-old HR skilled, stated, “For us RCB followers, it’s not about profitable the cup. In fact, that may be icing on the cake. However it’s extra about how RCB performs every sport, the joys of it. From the nice outdated days of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Chris Gayle, ABd to the perpetually favorite Virat, we assist RCB for the B (Bangalore) not the C (cup).”

Tejas Narayanappa, a knowledge engineer, stated, “I’m an RCB fan as a result of, let’s face it, if you’re born in India, you’re just about destined to assist cricket, and if you happen to’re from Bengaluru, RCB is the crew you’re drawn to! It’s nearly like a ceremony of passage. Rising up within the metropolis, watching matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and cheering for the crew, it’s a part of Bengaluru and our identification.” 

Followers throughout the match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bangalore on April 20, 2013.
| Photograph Credit score:
Okay. BHAGYA PRAKASH

Inspiration to many

Veeresh Badiger, a 27-year-old video editor, has been a fan of RCB since 2013. “For me, it began with implausible gamers like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. As I grew up, I realised RCB is not only about star gamers, however it’s about ardour, crew spirit, and giving your all each season. Watching them through the years taught me quite a bit – staying loyal, by no means giving up, dwelling within the second, working exhausting, and believing in your self.” Veeresh added that these classes helped him develop into mentally stronger and apply the identical in my life. “RCB has develop into greater than a crew for me; it has performed an enormous function in my private progress,” he added.  

“From watching Karnataka’s legends like Dravid and Kumble to witnessing Virat Kohli develop from a younger under-19 participant into a logo of loyalty and fervour, RCB has all the time felt private. With ABd and Chris Gayle redefining T20 leisure, this crew didn’t simply play, they impressed. Greater than something, RCB stands for the spirit of by no means giving up. Irrespective of the season, irrespective of the percentages, they struggle until the top. And each time I see that crimson and gold jersey, I imagine in them yet again,” stated Anurag Sharma a theatre artist.

Srinivasachari G., from Nangali Village, Kolar, stated it all the time looks like he’s a part of the RCB household. “I’m emotionally connected to the crew, and going to Chinnaswamy looks like dwelling. Yearly, we supply quite a lot of feelings, each win, each loss, each sport we really feel and revel in wholeheartedly. Sure, we don’t have a trophy, however the crew with zero trophies has the best variety of fan following throughout the nation, RCB is the Coronary heart of IPL,” he stated.

RCB followers throughout the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Might 4, 2014.
| Photograph Credit score:
Okay. MURALI KUMAR

Followers of all ages 

Whereas RCB is thought for having followers who’ve been following the franchise since 2008, older and youthful followers have additionally been rising for the crew. Ravi Subramaniam, at 72, is a die-hard RCB fan.

“I’ve seen cricket from the times of B.S. Chandrasekhar and E.A.S. Prasanna. However there’s something about RCB that retains me younger at coronary heart. I’ve not adopted RCB from the start, I began watching the matches a few years in the past with my kids and grandchildren simply to spend a while with household. However they’d me hooked. We could not have a trophy, however we’ve coronary heart. And so long as there’s a match at Chinnaswamy, I will probably be there, with my flag, my whistle, and my hope,” he stated cheerfully.

RCB followers throughout the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on Might 29, 2016.
| Photograph Credit score:
Okay. MURALI KUMAR

Huda Syed, at 15, is as passionate a fan as Subramaniam. The tenth grade pupil stated, “I’ve been an RCB fan actually since I used to be born, not due to the trophies, however due to the eagerness and power this crew brings to the sphere. Supporting RCB is extra than simply backing a crew, it’s about believing in potential, loving the sport, and standing by your favourites by means of each excessive and low. Watching legends like Virat Kohli give their all each single match, win or lose, has been nothing in need of inspiring. Sure, we’ve not lifted the IPL trophy but, however the loyalty, the Chinnaswamy roar, and the unwavering perception of the followers make us champions in spirit. RCB is a sense, not only a franchise. And we’ll all the time say it loud ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde.”