Ravichandran Ashwin Opens RCB Doors – Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals Unfulfilled Desire to Play for RCB

An Unfulfilled Dream in a Storied Career

Ravichandran Ashwin concluded his illustrious Indian Premier League (IPL) journey in mid-2025, leaving behind a legacy as one of the competition’s most successful and tactically astute bowlers. Over his highly decorated career, the legendary Indian all-rounder achieved immense success, most notably winning two IPL trophies and two Champions League T20 (CLT20) titles with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Beyond his golden years with CSK, Ashwin also showcased his leadership capabilities during a captaincy stint with the Punjab Kings, and later brought his invaluable experience to the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals lineups during the final phases of his playing days.

Despite building an incredibly distinguished IPL profile across multiple franchises, Ashwin recently shared a fascinating revelation about a team he never got to represent. The 39-year-old master spinner indirectly admitted that playing for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) remains a significant unfulfilled aspiration from his iconic IPL journey.

The Desire to Represent the Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Speaking in a candid conversation with journalist Vimal Kumar on the popular YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ravichandran Ashwin was asked if there was ever a specific franchise he wished he had played for during his active IPL career. While the legendary spinner was quick to express his immense gratitude and fond memories of representing his home franchise, the Chennai Super Kings, he confessed to having a strong desire to play for two other major teams: the Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

While Ashwin did eventually fulfill one of those wishes by spending three successful seasons with the Rajasthan Royals, his dream of donning the RCB colors remained unaccomplished. Explaining his special connection to Bengaluru, Ashwin highlighted his fantastic experiences playing at RCB’s iconic home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He recalled receiving overwhelming warmth and encouragement from the passionate local crowd, even when representing Team India in high-stakes Test matches. Furthermore, the close geographic proximity of Bengaluru to his hometown of Chennai added a personal element to this career-long desire.

As Ashwin beautifully summarized: “I played for CSK and I was happy. But if there was some other franchise I would have loved to play for, they were Rajasthan Royals and RCB. I have good memories of playing at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium even in Test matches, the crowd there has supported me. And its also near my home town.”

Lauding RCB’s Phenomenal Rise and Success

Ashwin’s reflections come at a time when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are experiencing the most successful era in their tournament history. In a remarkable turnaround, RCB claimed their historic first-ever IPL championship title in 2025, defeating the Punjab Kings in a thrilling final. Under the astute leadership of Rajat Patidar, the franchise has sustained this incredible momentum into the 2026 season, topping the league stage points table and securing a place in yet another grand finale.

Witnessing his desired franchise transform into the most dominant team in the league, Ashwin expressed genuine joy and admiration for their structural turnaround. The former spinner praised the team’s hard work, noting that their current success is a result of sheer merit rather than mere fortune. “I am very happy for RCB. They deserve it. Luck is just not luck, luck is earned,” Ashwin remarked, acknowledging the immense effort behind their back-to-back final appearances.

Dominance Redefined: RCB Demolish Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1

The validity of Ashwin’s high praise was on full display during the first qualifier match of the IPL 2026 season in Dharamsala. RCB produced a masterclass performance to completely dismantle the Gujarat Titans, securing a resounding 92-run victory and marching confidently into their second consecutive IPL final. The victory perfectly illustrated how the franchise has successfully transitioned from perennial underachievers into a ruthless, consistent, and formidable force.

Batting first, RCB posted a monumental total of 255 runs, largely driven by a breathtaking captain’s knock from Rajat Patidar. Leading from the front, Patidar played an unforgettable innings, smashing an unbeaten 93 runs off just 33 deliveries. His explosive knock was studded with five boundaries and nine towering sixes, leaving the Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack completely shell-shocked.

The bowlers then backed up the batters’ spectacular effort with absolute precision. Chasing a daunting target of 256, the Gujarat Titans struggled to find any momentum against a disciplined RCB bowling unit. Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling charge, collectively picking up five crucial wickets to break the back of the Titans’ batting lineup. The clinical bowling display bundled out the Gujarat Titans for a mere 162 runs, sealing a historic victory for the defending champions as they look poised to retain their crown.