‘We are always RCB fans’: RCB fans take over Brisbane as chants during Indian women’s match

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have managed to build one of the largest fan bases not just in cricket but in all sports because even though the team has not won a trophy in their entire IPL career, their fans are ready to root for the team that has has seen people like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and Ab de Villiers give their all wearing their jersey. This enthusiasm has now spread to Australia as RCB fans chanted ‘Ee Saala Cup naamde’ during an Indian women’s cricket match at the Alan Border Field in Brisbane.

Indian Premier League teams have gained huge fan bases in the diaspora across the world, but none can match the passion of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans who have remained loyal to them despite 17 years without trophies. “Ee Saala Cup naamde” (“This year the cup is ours”) echoes through Chinnaswamy, but some RCB loyalists in famous red and blue jerseys create a lively atmosphere at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field during an Indian women’s team game against Southern Stars.

“We are always RCB fans. Both women’s and men’s teams. “We are extremely happy and proud that our women’s team won the WPL last year and we want the men’s team to emulate this in 2025,” said Ramprasad, who has lived in Brisbane for 26 years.

He has watched almost every match of the Indian men’s team at the Gabba, where the third Test between India and Australia will be played from December 14. The entire RCB fan group with him wears the tricolor and the RCB flag when they watch international matches, which also fits here.

“I am a KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) life membership card holder and I watched an IPL match in Bengaluru. Like every RCB fan, I want Virat to score a century at the Gabba. We played well in Perth but Adelaide was a disappointment. Hopefully the team can turn things around in Brisbane like last time,” he said. IT consultant Ajay Mohan Patan, who came to this part of the world in 2007, is confident that his favorite Virat Kohli will soon hold the much-awaited IPL trophy in his hands.

“Everywhere we go we wear the colors red and blue. We always play bravely and win the heart. Yes, we didn’t win the cup, but I’m sure we will win this time. Ee Saala Cup Name. I appeal to the fans to be patient. RCB is our team forever,” he said.

“Even though he hasn’t won the IPL yet, we need to look at the consistency. We can’t always have the cup in our minds. We have to believe in a process. “It’s only a matter of time before we win the cup,” he said.

“Our loyalty as fans is unwavering. A player has played for one team for so many years. You have to understand that there is no player like Virat. He is a player for the ages. The cup will definitely come,” he added.