Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has no plans to personal groups in different worldwide cricket leagues, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise’s chief working officer Rajesh Menon stated because it eyes expansions via different means.
RCB, a subsidiary of United Spirits, was one of many authentic eight IPL groups that fashioned the T20 league in 2008 that has since develop into the spotlight of the Indian summer season.
Nevertheless it stays considered one of solely two IPL groups with none possession stakes in groups from leagues outdoors India, the opposite being the Gujarat Titans which made its IPL debut in 2022.
Different IPL groups such because the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders personal three or extra groups in three totally different international locations.
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They embody franchises in South Africa (SA20), the West Indies (Caribbean Premier League), the U.S. (Main League Cricket) and the United Arab Emirates (Worldwide League T20), however Menon stated RCB has totally different concepts about enlargement.
“Increasing the model globally doesn’t imply solely by taking part in cricket,” Menon instructed Reuters.
“We are able to increase our merchandise vary to Australia, the U.S., and the U.Ok. via our bar and cafe, not simply sports activities. Presently, we aren’t increasing RCB from a sporting standpoint however we’ll increase RCB via different expansions.”
RCB did, nonetheless, purchase the Bengaluru franchise within the Girls’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023 on the reported bidding quantity of simply over $100 million (Rs 870 crore).
It splurged practically $415,000 (Rs 3.61 crore) to signal Indian batter Smriti Mandhana — the costliest purchase in WPL historical past — and it paid wealthy dividends as she captained RCB to the title final 12 months.
However the males’s staff is but to elevate a trophy within the IPL regardless of reaching the playoffs 4 occasions within the final 5 years.
“The extra variety of occasions you attain the playoffs, the likelihood of successful the championship is sort of close to,” Menon stated. “I don’t assume it’s far that we win as a result of all of the indicators are there and the WPL staff successful (the title) can also be one signal.”
Regardless of having heavy hitters corresponding to Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis over time, the title has eluded the Bengaluru franchise, which has been crushed within the remaining 3 times — in 2009, 2011 and 2016.
“Icons are essential and that’s what we’ve got created in our RCB franchise,” Menon stated.
“Chris Gayle’s 175 not out continues to be not damaged… probably the most IPL runs file by a person continues to be with Kohli (8,004 runs), the best partnership is with Kohli and De Villiers (229 in 2016), so we’ve got manifested the philosophy.
“While you play daring, there will be negatives too. The bottom rating is with RCB (49 v Kolkata in 2017), so that’s the place we resonate with younger India… There are younger Indians that wish to do a number of issues however there may be worry of failure.”
RCB rejigged its squad within the 2025 public sale, retaining solely Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal. Nevertheless it recruited huge hitters Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt whereas additionally bringing in pacers Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to clean up the squad.
“Should you take a look at our supporting employees, it’s additionally robust with (coach) Andy Flower and (director of cricket) Mo Bobat,” Menon added.
“They’ve are available in and so they have checked out this whole franchise with a recent pair of eyes… We’ve got an excellent staff to go, so let’s see.”