‘Is RCB the new CSK’ – Ambati Rayudu backs Bengaluru to end 17-year title drought

Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu has expressed his confidence that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) side, under debutant captain Rajat Patidar, has all the ingredients of becoming a champion team. For years, the iconic chant of the side, ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’ (this year, the cup is ours), has been shouted across stadiums and social media, displaying RCB’s loyal fan base. While the slogan remained unsuccessful for 17 seasons, 2025 might finally be the year it becomes a reality. 

Rayudu emphasised that RCB often falls short due to their inconsistencies rather than being outplayed. But 2025 feels different as they have ticked all the boxes, particularly their bowling, which has given them the desired results. He also went on to question whether RCB could replicate the same performance that CSK has over the years.

“If you look at their team, they have a pretty set combination. If you see the teams that are not doing well in the IPL, they are still trying their combinations. But RCB is one team, along with Delhi [Capitals (DC) and Punjab [Kings (PBKS)] to some extent, who have got their combinations well set for the season. I have always enjoyed their [RCB’s] cricket. We have fun at their expense, only because nobody talks about DC or Punjab. Only because RCB always has a team that can win the IPL. But somehow, they come short because of their own shortcomings. Nobody else defeats them, it’s them. Is RCB the new CSK? This year, with [Rajat] Patidar [as captain], ee sala cup RCB de (this year the cup is RCB’s),” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show.

Getting Bhuvi early when they needed experience: Ambati Raydu

Notably, the side has conquered three of the toughest away grounds, Eden Gardens, Chepauk, and Wankhede, something only Punjab Kings achieved in 2012. They began their season with a comfortable seven-wicket win over KKR and followed it up by defeating CSK by 50 runs in Chennai, their first win at Chepauk since 2008. After a loss at home against the Gujarat Titans, they bounced back with a thrilling 12-run win over the Mumbai Indians, their first win at Wankhede in a decade.

RCB, who often rely on its star power, has changed its approach this season. Against MI, half-centuries from Patidar and Virat Kohli guided the side to 221/5. But it was their calculated bowling that sealed the deal. With MI needing just 52 runs off the last four overs and Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya going full throttle, Patidar turned to his bowlers at the right time. Rayudu praised the decision to bring in Bhuvneshwar Kumar early in the death overs. 

“For me, the biggest takeaway in that captaincy during those 20 overs is getting Bhuvi early. Because you generally associate Bhuvi to bowling either 19th or 20th. But getting Bhuvi early when they really needed experience, when they needed to get the game back into their control, I felt was a brilliant move. Because he could have gone [to] Krunal again, thinking that we have Hazlewood and Bhuvi. But even the execution from Bhuvi and Hazlewood was amazing. And this also shows this IPL is different, because there is no dew. Bowling yorkers even in the second innings has become slightly more easier. And also with the use of saliva,” he added.

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