As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finds themselves at a critical juncture. Despite being one of the most popular and followed franchises, RCB’s wait for their first-ever IPL title has now entered its 18th season. This year, the team has undergone several changes, including a new captain in Rajat Patidar, and a restructured squad aimed at breaking their long-standing trophy drought. However, former RCB head coach Mike Hesson, who guided the team to three playoff appearances between 2019 and 2023, has delivered a harsh reality check.
RCB’s long quest for an IPL title
Ever since the first IPL season in 2008, RCB have been among the most popular teams in the competition but has not yet lifted the much-coveted trophy. The team has played 242 games, with 117 victories, and stands as the fourth most successful team in the IPL in terms of wins. But whereas teams such as Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have won titles in succession, RCB have always come short.
Their best years were in 2011 and 2016 when they made the final but got defeated by CSK and SRH, respectively. They topped the table for only seven seasons, while in 2017 and 2019, their worst seasons ended at the tail end of the table. Though they ended IPL 2024 on a high note, winning six matches in a row to secure a playoff spot, their season was halted in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals (RR). RCB now, with Rajat Patidar as the new captain, will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against defending champions KKR on March 22 at Eden Gardens.
Also READ: IPL 2025: RCB’s best playing XI and impact players
Mike Hesson’s grim prediction for IPL 2025
Hesson, who had a significant role to play in RCB’s three playoff appearances between 2020 and 2022, examined the team’s batting depth and overall balance in the squad before sharing his prediction.
“So, in 2025, I look at the teams, at the strengths, and I look at the gaps that are in that team, likely more so around the depth of it. Instead of hand on heart, hand on head, I look at it and I genuinely can’t see RCB making a push for the playoffs, unfortunately, this year. That’s just observing the facts and the depth of the other teams,” Hesson said in his Youtube channel.
Hesson further elaborated that while RCB has made some interesting squad changes, they still have significant weaknesses that could hurt them. He believes that other teams have stronger and more balanced squads, making it difficult for RCB to compete at the highest level consistently. Hesson did say that he hoped that his forecast proved incorrect, with an admission that RCB also retains quality players who might well prove him wrong.
“I am considering whether they are going to be a kind of sixth or seventh or a fraction below in terms of the power of the other teams. This is going to be unpopular, I know. But it is from my brain, not my heart. And I believe RCB are going to end this season ninth,” Hesson concluded.
