Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) romped to a dominant eight-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI), with 22 balls to spare, in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Virat Kohli (82* off 49 balls) and skipper Faf du Plessis (73 off 43 balls) were the protagonists of a successful run chase after Rohit Sharma and co. posted 171 on the scoreboard, courtesy of Tilak Varma's 84 not out off 46 balls.
The Red and Blacks are often criticised for their failure to win the IPL despite boasting a glittering star cast that included T20 legends like Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers in the past. Kohli feels RCB is unfairly singled out by critics and insisted that they have been one of the most "consistent" teams in the history of the competition after MI and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
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What did Virat Kohli say after RCB defeated Mumbai Indians?
Apart from Mumbai winning five times and Chennai four times, we have qualified the most number of times (for playoffs), so we do play consistent cricket. It's just about staying focused, and just try to be the best balanced team. We need to play on this momentum. We just need to execute better.
Kohli felt that despite RCB's failure to win an IPL, they are one of the best sides in the tournament. He was also elated with the way his side started the campaign and praised Karn Sharma for his performace against Mumbai.
"Phenomenal win. Homecoming after so many years.I am very happy with how things went today. The new ball was a bit tricky, but we shifted the momentum by taking them down with the new ball. We nullified all their intensity.
"He (Sharma) was phenomenal, when he got that left-hander (Nehal Wadhera) out, that was great bowling. He was bowling so well last year. He was ready to play. Even in the nets, he was not getting hit for sixes. He put us on the front foot right away. The first game of the IPL, and to perform like that was great," he added.
Which is the most successful team in IPL?
MI are the most successful team in IPL history as they have won the championship a record five times.
They are followed by CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who have won the tournaments four and two times respectively.
| IPL Winner | Times | Year |
| Mumbai Indians | 5 | 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020. |
| Chennai Super Kings | 4 | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021. |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 2 | 2012, 2014 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 | 2016 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 1 | 2008 |
| Deccan Chargers | 1 | 2009 |
How have Royal Challengers Bangalore fared in IPL?
RCB have reached the playoffs eight times in the history of IPL. Out of those eight occasions they have finished as runners-up three times.
| Year | League Standing | Tournament Standing |
| 2008 | 7th out of 8 | League |
| 2009 | 3rd out of 8 | Runners-up |
| 2010 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2011 | 1st out of 10 | Runners-up |
| 2012 | 5th out of 9 | League |
| 2013 | 5th out of 9 | League |
| 2014 | 7th out of 8 | League |
| 2015 | 3rd out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2016 | 2nd out of 8 | Runners-up |
| 2017 | 8th out of 8 | League |
| 2018 | 6th out of 8 | League |
| 2019 | 8th out of 8 | League |
| 2020 | 4th out of 8 | Playoffs |
| 2021 | 3rd out 8 | Playoffs |
| 2022 | 3rd out of 10 | Playoffs |
When will Royal Challengers Bangalore play next?
After a crushing win over Mumbai Indians, RCB will next travel to the Eden Gardens to take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 6.
