Irfan Pathan praised the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for having the most loyal fans in the cricketing world. Irfan Pathan commended the franchise’s supporters for their unwavering support, regardless of the team’s performance. The major issue with RCB perhaps can be that they have backed their players as compared with franchises like MI & CSK.
Irfan Pathan expressed amazement at the unwavering support RCB receives from their fans despite the team not winning an IPL title yet. Despite their multiple appearances in the finals of the tournament, including in 2009, 2011, and 2016, RCB has not clinched the championship.
I have never seen a franchise-fan relationship like RCB and their fans- Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, speaking to Star Sports, praised the Royal Challengers Bangalore and their fans, noting their unwavering support for the team despite the franchise not clinching an IPL title yet. He said,
“I have never seen a franchise-fan relationship like RCB and their fans. They have the most loyal fanbase in the entire world. They haven’t won a single trophy. They came close a couple of times to winning that trophy,”
Despite being on the brink of securing a playoff spot last season, the Royal Challengers Bangalore faced disappointment and Virat Kohli’s record 7th ton in the IPL went in vain as a Shubman Gill century at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the final league match dashed their hopes, resulting in a sixth-place finish.
2016 was a very special season for Virat Kohli and RCB– Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan reminisced about the memorable 2016 IPL campaign, highlighting Virat Kohli’s remarkable performance, where he amassed a record-breaking 973 runs at an astonishing average of 81.08, including four centuries and seven half-centuries.
Despite Kohli’s remarkable feat, RCB fell short of clinching the title, losing to the Sunrisers Hyderabad by a narrow margin of eight runs in the final at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Irfan Pathan expressed his belief that Kohli leading RCB to an IPL victory could potentially be the greatest moment in the history of the league.
“2016 was a very special season for him and RCB. I thought that was the year to win. If Virat Kohli and RCB win the title, that will be the biggest moment of IPL history, not just RCB history,”
RCB has bolstered their IPL 2024 squad with strategic moves, acquiring Cameron Green(Traded in from Mumbai Indians) through trades and securing Alzarri Joseph at the auction. The team also added the likes of Lockie Ferguson, and Tom Curran for the foreigner slots, and several Indian players including Yash Dayal, Mayank Dagar(Traded in from SunRisers Hyderabad), and Swapnil Singh. The team is optimistic that these additions will contribute to ending their trophy drought in the upcoming season.