Bhubaneswar: Royal Challengers Bangalore may play their home matches over 1,000 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar, but their passionate fanbase in Odisha defies geographical boundaries and showcases how cricket fandom transcends state lines in IPL's vibrant ecosystem. Social media reflects this optimism. A recent Twitter poll by sports portal OdishaSportsHub showed 67% of responding Odisha cricket fans believe 2025 could finally be RCB's year to lift the trophy.
Without an IPL franchise to call their own, cricket enthusiasts across Odisha have gravitated toward RCB in impressive numbers. Social media data reveals that Odisha ranks fourth among states with active RCB online supporters, with major concentrations in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Rourkela.
"When IPL began, we were drawn to RCB's fighting spirit," says Sanjay Behera, a 32-year-old software engineer who founded the "RCB Fans Odisha" group on Facebook in 2013. The group now boasts over 28,000 members. "There's something about a team that never gives up despite setbacks that resonates with many of us here."
At Bhubaneswar's Unit-4 Market, cricket merchandise seller Ramesh Pradhan confirms the team's popularity: "During IPL season, RCB jerseys outsell every other team except India's national jersey. Kohli's number 18 remains the bestseller, but we've seen growing demand for other players too."
Local sports bars and restaurants capitalize on this enthusiasm, with establishments like Infocity's "Cricket Central" hosting RCB match screenings that regularly draw crowds of 200-300 fans dressed in the team's signature red and black.
"The atmosphere during RCB matches is electric," says Priya Mishra, manager at Cricket Central. "Our bookings for RCB games are always full days in advance, especially for matches against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians."
As the 2025 IPL season approaches, Odisha's RCB faithful have fresh reasons for optimism. The franchise has assembled what many analysts consider their most balanced squad in years, addressing traditional weaknesses while maintaining their batting firepower.
The acquisition of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who boasts an impressive T20I economy rate of 7.13 and 53 wickets in 40 matches, significantly strengthens their bowling attack. Complementing him is young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, whose breakthrough performance last season (19 wickets at an economy of 7.82) adds mystery and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.
"Hazlewood's precision at the death and Suyash's ability to take wickets in the middle overs addresses our two biggest bowling concerns from previous seasons," tweets @RCBFanBBSR, an Odisha-based fan account with over 5,000 followers.
The addition of experienced all-rounder Krunal Pandya provides balance, offering both left-arm spin options and lower-order batting stability. Meanwhile, explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Phil Salt, who maintained a strike rate of 168.92 in his previous IPL stint, adds firepower to a batting lineup already featuring the ever-consistent Virat Kohli.
"What makes this RCB squad different is the blend of dependability and explosiveness," says cricket commentator and analyst Sanjay Manjrekar. "With Kohli's consistency as the backbone and players like Salt providing the X-factor, supported by a more rounded bowling attack, they have addressed previous imbalances."
This sentiment resonates with fans in Bhubaneswar. "For years, we've had batting heavy teams that faltered in crucial moments due to bowling weaknesses," says Divyanshu Patnaik, who organizes RCB viewing parties in Chandrasekharpur. "This year feels different—we have options for every situation."
"The wait has been long," says 26-year-old Leena Das from Cuttack, who has followed RCB since the inaugural IPL season. "But as we say in Odia, 'Dhire dhire pani patthar katata' (Water cuts through stone slowly but surely). Maybe this is finally our time."
