Shadab Jakati, a former spinner who represented both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), recently shared his thoughts on why RCB have struggled to win the coveted IPL trophy.
Jakati, who kicked off his IPL career with CSK, moved to RCB in 2014 but had a limited run, playing just one match in his first season with the franchise. RCB, one of the IPL’s original teams, is among the three franchises yet to claim the title since the league began in 2008.
Jakati reflected on his experiences and pinpointed the factors he believes have kept RCB from championship glory.
Shadab Jakati reveals why RCB have struggled to win an IPL title
Jakati stressed that success in the IPL hinges on collective effort rather than individual brilliance. Drawing from his time at CSK, he highlighted their balanced squad, which featured a solid Indian core and effective overseas players. In contrast, he observed that RCB often leaned too heavily on a few key individuals.
“It’s a team game. If you want to win trophies, the team needs to play like a unit. Two or three players cannot help you win the trophy. Chennai had a strong group of Indian players and some decent foreign players. It is important to get your combination right. When I was in RCB, they would focus on two or three players only,” said Jakati on Sportskeeda.
Team management and atmosphere fall short
The former spinner also pointed to significant differences in team dynamics between the two franchises. While he acknowledged the talent within RCB’s roster, he felt a lack of unity held them back.
“There was a huge difference as far as team management and dressing room atmosphere are concerned. Players were very good, but there was no camaraderie; the players did not gel properly. Chennai’s management was very good, actually. They looked after their players nicely. These are the small things which make a big difference,” added Jakati.
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Insights into RCB’s ongoing challenge
Jakati’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the internal workings of RCB, a team that has reached the IPL final three times (2009, 2011, and 2016) but has yet to secure the title. Despite boasting some of the league’s biggest names over the years, the franchise’s inability to foster teamwork and a supportive environment may explain its persistent struggles. As RCB looks ahead to future seasons, Jakati’s analysis suggests that addressing these off-field issues could be just as crucial as on-field performance in ending their trophy drought.
