Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the most followed teams in the IPL. They are one of the most popular franchises in the IPL owing to Virat Kohli, who has a huge fan following and is considered the ‘GOAT’ by many. Established in 2008 by United Sports Ltd, the team was named after the company’s renowned liquor brand Royal Challenge. However, the Bangalore-based team has proved to be chronic disappointments in the IPL as they are one of the only three teams other than Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to have participated in every IPL since 2008 and never won an IPL silverware.
RCB have reached the IPL final three teams altogether- in 2009, 2011 & 2016 but have yet to grasp on their first ever IPL title. Over the years, they have attempted various strategies. They have assembled formidable squads, experimented with different combinations, and even tested numerous players as captains of the franchise. Today, in this article, we will find out about Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) All Captains List From 2008 To 2024 who they have had previously and how they fared.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) All Captains List From 2008 To 2024
Rahul Dravid: (2008)
Royal Challengers Bangalore appointed Rahul Dravid, the Indian Great as the icon player and the Captain of the team. However, they had a disastrous season finishing seventh in the points table. Also Read: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) All Captains List From 2008 To 2024
Kevin Pietersen: (2009)
The team management decided to make wholesale changes to the squad after a terrible inaugural season, ahead of the 2009 season. In an ode to change their fortunes Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Kevin Pietersen for a record-breaking amount and made him the captain.
The move didn’t work quite well though as Kevin Pietersen took some to get going with life in the IPL. Under the new leadership, RCB won only two of the first six games. But their luck changed once Kevin left for national duties and the Indian legend Anil Kumble took over the reins of captaincy mid-season.
Anil Kumble: (2009, 2010)
Anil Kumble, the legendary leg-spinner had to take over the captaincy mid-season in 2009. Nonetheless, it changed the fate of Challengers as after winning six consecutive matches, they qualified for the playoffs. Even though Bangalore reached the final of the 2009 season, they had to witness a heart wrenching loss in the final.
The following season RCB continued with Anil Kumble as the captain. The team managed to qualify for the playoffs winning seven games in the league stage. RCB crashed out of the competition losing in the semis to Mumbai Indians. After the conclusion of the IPL 2010, Anil Kumble retired and the Challengers were once again in search of a new captain. Also Read: Punjab Kings (PBKS) All Captains List From 2008 To 2024 (Present)
Daniel Vettori: (2011, 2012)
Royal Challengers Bangalore made significant changes to their squad, releasing all players except Virat Kohli prior to the IPL 2011. RCB bought a number of superstars from the auction, namely AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Daniel Vettori.
Daniel Vettori, was assigned as the captain of the Reds and made an immediate impression. RCB made it to the finals of the IPL 2011 but failed to capitalise once again.
The following season RCB finished fifth in the points table and eventually Daniel Vettori was dismissed as the captain.
Virat Kohli: (2011 – 2021)
Having already captained the side a few times in the absence of the regular skipper Daniel Vettori in 2011 and 2012, Virat Kohli was declared as the regular captain of the franchise ahead of the IPL 2013. The Indian run-machine is the longest-serving RCB captain having led the side for more than 140 matches.
RCB failed to qualify for the playoffs in the IPL 2013 and 2014, but finished third in the IPL 2015. They also played their third IPL final in 2016 but failed to win it from a winning position.
The team had a hot and cold season for the next three years as RCB failed to qualify for the playoffs from the IPL 2017-2019. They qualified for the playoffs in IPL 2020 and 2021, but failed to go beyond the Eliminator.
Virat Kohli, the former Indian Captain, announced that he would be letting go of his captaincy duties for the franchise ahead of the IPL 2022. Also Read: Rajasthan Royals (RR) All Captains List From 2008 To 2024 (Present)
Shane Watson: (2017)
Shane Watson led Royal Challengers Bangalore in three games during the IPL 2017 in absence of Virat Kohli who had endured an injury having lost two matches and won one.
Faf du Plessis (2022 – Present)
Ahead of the IPL 2022, the former Proteas Captain, Faf du Plessis was bought by RCB in the mega auctions. Thereafter he was declared as the successor to Virat Kohli. He did well enough captaining the RCB in his maiden season as the team managed to qualify for the playoffs consecutively for the 3rd season. Bangalore did manage to clear the Eliminator but failed to reach the finals having lost the 2nd qualifier.
The following season in IPL 2023 had its share of positives and negatives for RCB and Faf, his leadership qualities and personal performances were acknowledged as he scored 730 runs but failed to qualify for the playoffs finishing on sixth at the points table. Also Read: Delhi Capitals (DC) All Captains List From 2008 To 2024