RCB are in the IPL 2025 final—but for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, success goes beyond results on the field. Over 17 seasons, the franchise has built one of the most loyal, passionate, and widespread fan bases in Indian sport. And no one has been more central to that rise than Virat Kohli.
In a Moneycontrol exclusive, RCB COO Rajesh Menon spoke in-depth about what drives the RCB brand, how the team built a fan-first identity, and why Kohli is more than just the face of the franchise—he is the story.
‘RCB was never conceptualised as a Karnataka brand’: Rajesh Menon on the RCB fan base
When asked about RCB’s passionate supporters, Menon emphasized that the franchise was never built for just one region—it was built for everyone.
“RCB was never conceptualised as a Karnataka brand or a Bengaluru based brand. It always was meant to be a pan-Indian brand and one that had universal appeal. The fan, wherever he or she is from, is at the core of the brand. Fan engagement is perhaps the most important thing that we do. If you see our team bus you will know what I am saying. There was one fan who had taken the RCB jersey to Mahakumbh. He is represented in our team bus. Sugumar, RCB super fan, is represented. Every fan who has RCB at his or her core is part of the story. If you go outside of India say to the Hundred or county cricket, you will inevitably see a few with RCB jerseys. That’s what we have been able to create and that’s what explains why the brand is what it is.”
This brand vision—paired with consistent fan engagement across digital, in-person, and community platforms—has made RCB a rare example of a sports franchise whose identity is emotionally shared by supporters across India and abroad.
‘The only constant at RCB is Virat Kohli’: The player who defines the franchise
While star power has always been a part of RCB’s DNA, no player has had a more enduring presence than Virat Kohli. From debuting with the team in 2008 to still delivering top-tier performances in 2025, Kohli has stood by RCB across every high and low.
“See the thing is very clear. At Diageo there are no owners. People will come and go. But the only constant at RCB is Virat Kohli. That’s how important he is and there is no debate he is the biggest constant in RCB and is the closest to the RCB story. In fact, he is the RCB story.”
Kohli’s achievements are well known—from scoring 973 runs in a single IPL season in 2016, to carrying the team into multiple playoff appearances, including this year’s run to the IPL 2025 final. But his impact goes beyond numbers. His loyalty to the franchise, leadership on and off the field, and cultural stature have made him a living embodiment of what RCB represents.
A moment 17 seasons in the making
RCB’s wait for an IPL title could finally end this season. The team has qualified for the final, and the stakes are higher than ever. But win or lose, what the franchise has already achieved is undeniable: a pan-India brand built on deep-rooted loyalty, emotional connection, and authentic identity.
From the vision of its management to the passion of its fans, and the unmatched influence of Virat Kohli, RCB has built something that few in Indian sport can replicate. And as they prepare for the most important game in franchise history, that identity has never been more clear—or more powerful.
