Michael Clarke Explains Why RCB Have Struggled To Win An IPL Trophy

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been one of the most talked-about franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the tournament’s inception in 2008. Despite consistently featuring some of the biggest names in world cricket—Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, and more—RCB have yet to win an IPL title.

With a passionate fanbase and high expectations every season, the team has come close on multiple occasions, finishing as runners-up three times (2009, 2011, and 2016) but failing to go all the way. The franchise has often been accused of relying too much on individual brilliance rather than teamwork, a point that former Australian captain Michael Clarke recently emphasized in a discussion on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast with Erin Holland.

As RCB gears up for the IPL 2025 season, significant changes have been made, both in leadership and team composition, in an attempt to finally break the jinx. But will it be enough?

Michael Clarke on RCB’s Struggles in the IPL

Lack of Team Chemistry in Crucial Matches

During his conversation on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast, Michael Clarke provided an insightful analysis of why RCB have failed to lift the IPL trophy despite boasting some of the biggest names in T20 cricket.

“Oh RCB. Always so much expectation. Our minds are still thinking about when they had AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli. They had all the superstars. Generally, in team sport, it’s not about the superstars. It’s about how you gel as a team. And I think RCB, this year, that’s gonna be their challenge—to come together as a team.”

Clarke pointed out that while RCB has had match-winners and extraordinary talents, cricket is a team sport where individual performances alone don’t guarantee success.

One of the biggest challenges for RCB has been their inability to step up collectively during crucial knockout matches. Whether it’s batting collapses, inconsistent bowling performances, or tactical errors, they have often crumbled under pressure.

Overdependence on Individual Superstars

RCB’s history is filled with legendary individual performances, but those alone haven’t translated into an IPL trophy.

In 2016, Virat Kohli had a record-breaking season, scoring 973 runs with four centuries. Despite his heroics, RCB still lost the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In various seasons, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle played match-winning knocks, but the team lacked consistency as a unit.
Even in recent seasons, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis have contributed heavily, yet the team struggled with balance and execution.

Clarke’s observation reinforces the belief that a championship-winning team needs all 11 players contributing, rather than relying on 2-3 individuals to carry the load.

RCB’s New Strategy for IPL 2025: A Fresh Start?

Leadership Shift: Rajat Patidar Takes Over as Captain

One of the biggest changes for RCB this season is the appointment of Rajat Patidar as captain. With Faf du Plessis no longer leading the side, the franchise has opted for a young Indian leader who has been a consistent performer in domestic and IPL cricket.

This is a bold move, as Patidar has limited captaincy experience. However, this decision signals that RCB is looking towards a fresh approach, possibly building a long-term leadership core rather than relying on veteran overseas captains.

The pressure of captaincy will be immense on Patidar, but with senior players like Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the squad, he has the right mentors to guide him.

Key Retentions: Stability in the Core

RCB decided to retain three key players:

Virat Kohli – The face of the franchise and their most consistent batter.
Rajat Patidar – One of their most promising middle-order batters, now leading the side.
Yash Dayal – A talented Indian pacer who provides depth to the bowling attack.

Retaining this core indicates that RCB wants to build a balanced unit with a mix of experienced players and young talents.

IPL 2025 Auction: Strengthening the Squad

To address their long-standing weaknesses, RCB made some smart acquisitions in the IPL 2025 auction:

Big Signings for the Batting Lineup:

Liam Livingstone – The English all-rounder is a power-hitter and a handy bowler, giving RCB more depth in both departments.
Phil Salt – A destructive wicketkeeper-batsman, adding flexibility to the top order.
Jitesh Sharma – A reliable Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, ensuring a strong backup option.

Major Bowling Reinforcements:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – One of India’s best swing bowlers, bringing experience and control.
Josh Hazlewood – The Australian pacer returns to provide strength to the pace attack.

By balancing their squad with both experienced internationals and Indian talents, RCB has made a conscious effort to avoid over-reliance on a few superstars.

What Needs to Change for RCB to Win IPL 2025?

Even with an improved squad, RCB must focus on three key areas if they want to finally break their IPL curse:

Better Performance in Knockout Matches

RCB has lost crucial knockout matches multiple times due to batting collapses and ineffective bowling.
They need to ensure mental toughness and a strong finishing approach when it matters the most.

Consistency in Team Selection

Over the years, RCB has been guilty of frequent squad changes, which disrupts team chemistry.
Finding the right playing XI early and sticking with it will be crucial.

Tactical Improvements in Bowling

In past seasons, RCB’s death bowling has been a major concern.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, they now have a more experienced bowling attack, but execution will be key.

Can RCB Finally Win IPL 2025?

With a new captain, balanced squad, and fresh mindset, RCB looks stronger than ever on paper. However, as Michael Clarke pointed out, team unity and execution will be the real test.

The pressure on RCB is always immense, but if they can learn from past mistakes and play as a cohesive unit, IPL 2025 could finally be the year their trophy drought ends.

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