Forever 12th man: Why RCB fans remain loyal after 18 years and no trophy 

Resilient, passionate, and endlessly optimistic RCB fans support their team through every season, embodying the spirit of never giving up.

It has been 17 seasons, countless heartbreaks, and still no Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Yet, every year, as the summer heat rises, so does the roar of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) faithful fans. Clad in red and gold, with voices hoarse from chanting “RCB, RCB” and hearts full of hope with slogans like “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This time, the cup is ours), RCB fans return match after match, season after season, undaunted by the scoreboard. In a world where loyalty often hinges on success, the RCB fan base stands out to be resilient, passionate, and endlessly optimistic.

RCB, currently playing its 18th season, is one of the most popular and passionately supported franchises in the IPL. Based in Bengaluru, the team was founded in 2008 and is owned by United Spirits, a subsidiary of British beverage company Diageo. Despite boasting some of the biggest names in cricket over the years, including Anil Kumble, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Faf du Plessis, RCB has never won an IPL title, which has often made them the subject of memes and heartbreak in equal measure.

The team had reached the finals three times in 2009, 2011, and 2016, but narrowly missed the crown each time. Their tagline, “Ee Sala Cup Namde, “ has become a rallying cry and meme rolled into one, capturing both the hope and humour of the RCB journey. And for their fans, the journey has always mattered more than the destination. 

We spoke to the “12th man army”, as RCB fondly calls its fans from across the State, questioning why they continue to support the franchise despite not bringing home a cup.

Speaking to The Hindu, Rakhi Chadaga, a 29-year-old HR professional, said, “For us RCB fans, it is not about winning the cup. Of course, that would be icing on the cake. But it is more about how RCB plays each game, the thrill of it. From the good old days of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Chris Gayle, ABd to the forever favourite Virat, we support RCB for the B (Bangalore) not the C (cup).”

Tejas Narayanappa, a data engineer, said, “I am an RCB fan because, let’s face it, if you are born in India, you are pretty much destined to support cricket, and if you’re from Bengaluru, RCB is the team you are drawn to! It’s almost like a rite of passage. Growing up in the city, watching matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and cheering for the team, it’s part of Bengaluru and our identity.” 

Veeresh Badiger, a 27-year-old video editor, has been a fan of RCB since 2013. “For me, it all started with fantastic players like AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. As I grew up, I realised RCB is not just about star players, but it is about passion, team spirit, and giving your all every season. Watching them over the years taught me a lot - staying loyal, never giving up, living in the moment, working hard, and believing in yourself.” Veeresh added that these lessons helped him become mentally stronger and apply the same in my life. “RCB has become more than a team for me; it has played a big role in my personal growth,” he added.