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Vijay Mallya, the former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), currently residing in the UK, has shared his thoughts on the team's recent IPL victory, marking their first trophy in eighteen years. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Mallya expressed his joy and relief at seeing his dream of RCB winning the IPL finally realized. He also touched upon the tragic events surrounding the victory celebrations, where some fans lost their lives, extending his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Mallya emphasized the extraordinary performance of RCB throughout the season, particularly their exceptional away record, which he believes is an IPL record. He attributed the team's success to a well-balanced squad, where every player stepped up and contributed to the overall performance. He noted the blend of experienced players and young talent as a crucial factor in their victory, especially in the final game against Punjab. Mallya reminisced about founding the RCB franchise and the initial dream of bringing the trophy to Bangalore. He expressed satisfaction that the dream has finally come true, albeit after a long wait. He also highlighted the strategic approach RCB took in the recent IPL auctions, avoiding impulsive buys and focusing on a well-planned and balanced squad. He mentioned the selection of players like Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar as surprising but ultimately successful decisions. Mallya praised the performance of young players like Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar, emphasizing their contribution to the team's success. He also mentioned his personal preference for KL Rahul, highlighting his local connection and fine player skills. Regarding captaincy, Mallya commended Rajat Patidar for his outstanding job, especially considering his limited prior experience as a skipper. He recalled his decision to appoint Virat Kohli as the RCB captain, citing his impressive performance with the India Under-19 team as a key factor. Mallya expressed his satisfaction with the current RCB management, praising Mo Bobat as the Director of Cricket and Andy Flower as a well-accomplished coach. He explained the reasons for the long wait for the trophy, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and individual contributions. He shared that he has received numerous congratulatory messages and acknowledged RCB's dedicated fanbase, emphasizing the franchise's continuous fan engagement efforts throughout the year. Looking back at the early days of RCB, Mallya acknowledged that the team was initially more suited for Test cricket. He highlighted the evolution of white-ball cricket and the emergence of young, uncapped players who are making significant contributions. He believes that every franchise should have a Hall of Fame and suggested that Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle should be inducted into RCB's Hall of Fame. Mallya clarified that he sees himself as the chief fan of RCB and appreciated the professional management team and coaching staff for their expertise. He mentioned the acquisitions of players like Shane Watson, Yuvraj Singh, and Mitchell Starc in the past and emphasized the collective effort of the RCB 2025 team. Regarding Yuvraj Singh, Mallya explained the auction strategy behind releasing and re-bidding for him, highlighting his exceptional hitting capabilities. Finally, Mallya ruled out the possibility of returning to India and regaining ownership of the team.
The interview with Vijay Mallya provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of the man who brought the Royal Challengers Bengaluru into existence. His reflections on the team's long-awaited victory are filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment, tempered by the sadness of the fan fatalities. Mallya’s perspective offers a unique insight into the dynamics of building a successful IPL team, emphasizing the importance of strategic player selection, team balance, and nurturing young talent. His comments on the RCB management and coaching staff highlight the crucial role they play in guiding the team towards victory. The article underscores the significance of fan engagement in the IPL and the passionate support that RCB enjoys. The discussion on past players and strategies, such as the Yuvraj Singh saga, reveals the complexities and uncertainties of the auction process. Mallya's insights into captaincy, especially his early recognition of Virat Kohli's leadership potential, offer valuable lessons for talent identification and development. His unwavering belief in RCB's ability to win the trophy, despite years of setbacks, reflects his deep connection to the franchise and its fans. The interview also serves as a reminder of the human element in professional sports, with Mallya expressing genuine concern for the well-being of the fans and the tragic loss of life during the celebrations. Overall, the article paints a comprehensive picture of Mallya's role in shaping RCB, his vision for the team, and his enduring passion for cricket. It is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the IPL and the factors that contribute to success in this highly competitive league. Mallya's emphasis on the need for a balanced team, rather than just relying on star players, is particularly insightful. He acknowledges that RCB had formidable lineups in the past, featuring iconic players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, but these teams failed to achieve the ultimate goal. He believes that the 2025 team succeeded because every player stepped up and contributed, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and collective effort.
The conversation with Mallya is really about a dream fulfilled. He is careful to mention that while his vision kickstarted the franchise, the team on the ground delivered. He gives credit to the strategic acquisition of players, and also underscores that it takes more than just big names to make a team click. He cites the importance of a collaborative effort and the necessity of all team members to contribute, regardless of celebrity status. This lesson is an important one, as often fans and management alike chase big name players thinking they are the silver bullet to victory. The RCB win highlights that even in the era of rockstar cricketers, balance and dedication are crucial for success. His description of the fan base also reveals a shrewd business mind. He notes how the team consistently engages its fans throughout the year, which creates a feeling of connection to the franchise. He highlights that RCB has some of the highest numbers of followers and interactions in the sports world because of this conscious effort. The engagement keeps the fans energized, and ultimately helps the franchise grow even when there are not active matches. His final, firm dismissal of returning to India, sadly, hints at the complications of his personal life and legal entanglements. It seems that even though his creation finally claimed the trophy, he is not able to publicly celebrate and share the win with the fans in Bangalore. Ultimately, this win for RCB marks the end of a long journey, and a chapter for Mallya as the founder. Though he can't return, his dream has been realized, and his vision is now cemented in IPL history.
Source: 'I knew the balance of the team was good to win the trophy' - Vijay Mallya on RCB's success