Every season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) brings new hopes for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans, but the team has never lifted the trophy. With cricket legends like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Daniel Vettori, and Dale Steyn, RCB has always looked formidable on paper. However, the team has failed to translate its potential into a championship victory. As IPL 2025 approaches, former RCB player Shadab Jakati has made shocking revelations about the team’s management, hinting at the reasons behind their constant struggle.
Shadab Jakati Explosive Claims About RCB
Former RCB spinner Shadab Jakati, in an interview with Sportskeeda, openly criticized the team’s approach. He emphasized that cricket is a team sport, and no franchise can win the IPL by relying on just a few superstars. According to him, RCB’s biggest mistake was over-dependence on 2-3 key players, which led to their repeated failures.
“If you want to win the trophy, the team needs to play as a unit. 2-3 players cannot win you the title. Chennai had a strong core of Indian players and a few good overseas players. Building the right combination is crucial. When I was in RCB, they only focused on 2-3 players,” Jakati stated.
His statement highlights the lack of balance in RCB’s squad composition, which has led to their inconsistency over the years.
Dressing Room Issues and Team Environment
Apart from the on-field performances, Jakati also pointed out issues within RCB’s team management and dressing room environment. He claimed that, despite having talented players, the team lacked unity, which affected overall coordination and performance.
“When it comes to team management and the dressing room atmosphere, there was a significant difference. The players were excellent, but there was no unity, which made it difficult for them to gel as a team.”
This lack of cohesion and team spirit might be one of the key reasons why RCB has failed to perform in pressure situations and knockout matches.
Comparison with Chennai Super Kings (CSK): A Lesson for RCB?
Jakati, who also played for the five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), praised their team management. He pointed out how CSK’s approach was completely different from RCB’s and how their management played a key role in maintaining stability.
“As I mentioned, team management plays a crucial role. Chennai’s management was incredibly good. They took great care of their players. These small things make a big difference. That’s the key difference I observed between CSK and RCB.”
CSK has been one of the most successful teams in IPL history, known for their strong team culture, stable leadership under MS Dhoni, and well-balanced squad. The franchise has retained a core group of Indian players over the years and built a winning combination around them. On the other hand, RCB has frequently shuffled their squad, making it difficult to develop a consistent playing XI.
RCB’s Dependence on Star Players: A Recipe for Failure?
Over the years, RCB has built teams around individual match-winners, expecting them to single-handedly carry the team. From Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle to Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis, RCB has always had superstar players. However, cricket is a team sport, and expecting a few individuals to win matches consistently is unrealistic.
- Over-Reliance on Virat Kohli: While Kohli has been the backbone of RCB for years, the team has failed to build a support system around him.
- Frequent Captaincy Changes: RCB has struggled to find a stable captaincy solution, which has led to instability.
- Weak Indian Core: Unlike CSK and Mumbai Indians, RCB has failed to establish a strong group of domestic players.
Shadab Jakati IPL Career and Experience with RCB
Shadab Jakati played 59 IPL matches, representing both CSK and RCB. As a left-arm spinner, he picked up 47 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 4/22. His experience with both franchises gives weight to his observations about the difference in team management and approach.
RCB fans have always remained hopeful, but the team’s inability to learn from past mistakes, focus on squad depth, and build a strong team culture has kept them from winning the IPL trophy. As IPL 2025 nears, it remains to be seen whether RCB can finally break their trophy drought or continue to struggle due to the same issues.