IPL 2025: RCB’s Old Nemesis Ben Cutting Reveals How Fans Urge Him To Stop Bengaluru From Winning Their Maiden Title

In the long and storied history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), there are moments that transcend statistics, moments that become folklore. One such moment arrived on the night of May 29, 2016, when a relatively lesser-known Australian all-rounder named Ben Cutting stepped onto the field at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru — and walked off an eternal IPL legend.

For a player with just eight international caps for Australia, Cutting’s legacy might have been limited to the domestic grind or sporadic T20 appearances. But fate, as cricket often reminds us, has its own scriptwriters. That night in 2016 — the grand finale of IPL Season 9 — Ben Cutting didn’t just deliver an all-round masterclass; he etched his name permanently into the hearts of Sunrisers Hyderabad fans, and burned an unforgettable scar into the dreams of Royal Challengers Bangalore loyalists.

Before the Spotlight: The Road to the Final

The 2016 season had been a rollercoaster. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), led by a red-hot Virat Kohli, were unstoppable in the second half of the league. Kohli himself was scripting history with the bat — 973 runs in a single season, including four centuries, a record still untouched. Alongside him were powerhouses like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and a young KL Rahul.

On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), captained by the fierce David Warner, had quietly built a squad of gritty performers. Their road to the final wasn’t as flashy, but it was defined by resilience, balance, and clever planning — anchored by bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mustafizur Rahman, and support players like Cutting, who had played just three matches before the final.

Cutting wasn’t a regular starter. But as the pressure and stakes climbed, SRH made a bold call to bring him into the XI for the final. What followed was a performance that shifted cricketing destinies.

Act I: The Carnage with the Bat

Batting first in a high-pressure final is never easy, especially in front of a roaring Bengaluru crowd. But SRH got off to a solid start with Warner’s belligerent 69 off 38 balls laying the foundation. As the innings neared its close, the scoreboard read 155/4 — respectable, but not match-winning.

That’s when Ben Cutting arrived at the crease.

Facing just 15 deliveries, Cutting launched an all-out assault. He tore into the bowling attack, especially targeting Shane Watson, whose final over bled 24 runs. Cutting’s blade was a hammer — striking 4 boundaries and 3 monstrous sixes, one of which traveled 117 meters, the longest of the season.

By the time the innings ended at 208/7, the momentum had decisively shifted. Cutting’s whirlwind 39 off 15* had turned a good total into a daunting one.

Act II: Deliverance with the Ball

If his fireworks with the bat had unsettled RCB, his bowling ensured they never recovered.

RCB’s chase started explosively — Gayle and Kohli combined for a blistering 114-run stand in under 11 overs. The crowd roared. The title seemed theirs. SRH were on the ropes.

And then, Cutting struck.

He removed the in-form Chris Gayle for 76, inducing a mishit that landed safely in the deep. Soon after, he dismissed KL Rahul, breaking RCB’s spine. With those two strikes, Cutting turned the tide again.

RCB stumbled under pressure. Despite Kohli’s 54, they lost momentum and wickets, eventually finishing at 200/7, 8 runs short of the target. Hyderabad were crowned champions, their first-ever IPL title, and Cutting — the surprise pick — was declared Man of the Match.

The Legacy of a Final

For a player who was not a household name, this final changed everything.

In one night, Ben Cutting became immortal in the annals of IPL. Not just because of the runs or the wickets — but because of the timing. The biggest stage. The highest stakes. A final. And Cutting delivered when it mattered the most.

His story resonated because it was unexpected, yet perfect. A role player turned match-winner. A fringe player turned title-clincher. A foreign recruit turned forever Hyderabadi hero.

The Curse That Followed RCB

For RCB, the 2016 final was another haunting chapter in their book of heartbreaks. Despite having a galaxy of superstars, the trophy continued to elude them. And Ben Cutting became a symbol of that unfinished dream — the man who stood in their way.

The final’s impact on RCB fans and their psyche was massive. Over time, it grew into a sort of sporting folklore: the cursed final, the crumbled chase, the Aussie disruptor.

The Fan Obsession: Ben Cutting vs. RCB – A Cult Figure is Born

Years passed. Players came and went. But Ben Cutting’s name never faded — particularly on social media.

In a recent conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Cutting revealed a hilarious and endearing truth: IPL fans haven’t let him forget that night — nor do they want him to.

“If I load up my private messages on Instagram now, there’ll be 150 every day saying, ‘Can you make yourself available for the IPL as a replacement player?’”
– Ben Cutting, in 2024.

It’s not just the volume of messages — it’s the intent. Cutting shared that most messages come from fans of teams playing against RCB, often begging him to join their side and once again play the spoiler.

The legend has now morphed into a meme, a charm, a superstition. For some IPL fans, Ben Cutting has become their anti-RCB mascot — a man with mythical powers to keep the title away from Bengaluru.

The Myth Grows With Every Trophy-less Year

Cutting observed how the myth of the 2016 final has only intensified over time.

“For some reason, this year, social media has blown up far more. I think because the longer the years drag on and RCB still haven’t won, the more important that night becomes for the Hyderabadis,”
– Cutting added.

He’s right. The longer RCB go without winning the title, the more significant that loss becomes. It becomes more than a result — it becomes a moment frozen in time, a wound that hasn’t healed. And Ben Cutting becomes the face of that pain, revered by SRH and rival fans, remembered — not hated — by RCB fans, but as a reminder of what could’ve been.

A Final Beyond Numbers

What makes this story so captivating isn’t just the match result. It’s everything around it — the stakes, the performance, the unexpected twist, the emotional aftermath, and the memeification of it all.

Ben Cutting wasn’t a megastar. But in one night, he showed the beauty of sport — that on any given day, any player can be a hero, and some performances last forever.

Where Is He Now?

While Ben Cutting hasn’t featured regularly in the IPL since, he’s remained active in global T20 leagues — including the Big Bash League and PSL. Off the field, he’s also carved a name in broadcasting and is known for his witty, grounded personality.

But every year, when the IPL begins — and especially when RCB takes the field — Cutting’s Instagram inbox comes alive. Whether it’s SRH fans reminiscing or other team supporters seeking his services, he is never forgotten.

And until RCB finally win that elusive title, the legend of Ben Cutting in the 2016 IPL final will remain one of the most iconic, beloved, and mischievously mythologized moments in T20 cricket history.

Final Word

In a league built on superstars and spectacle, it was Ben Cutting — the underdog, the unexpected pick — who wrote one of its most unforgettable chapters.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear orange.

And smash 117-meter sixes.

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