The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) take on the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, near Chandigarh, in Punjab today.
I have this strange feeling that RCB’s iconic status of “so near, yet so far”—which earns it the sympathy of all as the perennial underdog, the epitome of “it could have been, but it isn’t”—will wither away this summer.
Every RCB fan believes they are part of something big, and that one day, it will happen.
The common man identifies with this team more than with any other.
Though RCB has never won an IPL trophy in its 18-year journey, it boasts the highest fan following among all IPL teams—including heavyweights like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders, who are known for the star power in their squads or among their owners.
Yet RCB remains an icon. It transcends all barriers and is always the vulnerable one. It throbs in the heart of every fan, each one a mirror image of the team’s emotional highs and lows. This team has always been a reflection of most people’s dreams and expectations of themselves, and that is what makes it tick.
They even have an iconic abbreviation—ESCN—“Ee Sala Cup Nammade,” which translates to “The Cup is ours this time”. It has become a rallying cry for its fans. And then there’s the hero of this saga: Virat, who has worn the RCB jersey—number 18—for the past 18 years.
As we head into the playoffs, Virat and his legion of fans stand at a crucial juncture—just two or maybe three matches away from the crown . Yet, that familiar feeling of déjà vu lingers. The heartbeat of every RCB fan goes “dhak dhak”—not just in anticipation of the Cup, but in recognition of their alter egos.
If RCB loses again, the fans will return in 2026—drums, conches, and their anthem “Ee Sala Cup Nammade”—louder than ever. Because to them, RCB isn’t just a team. It is their heart and soul rolled into one.
And if RCB wins this time, there is the curious possibility that its underdog charm—and perhaps even some of its following—might fade next year.
But for now, RCB turns 18. And there is no better time to say: ESCN – Ee Sala Cup Nammade!
Contributed by Sumith S Rao
