The Indian Premier League is one of the most fought-after rivalries in the history of cricket. Among all the rivalries in the Indian Premier League, the intensity and drama of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs the Mumbai Indians is unmatched. The Mumbai Indians, on one hand, stand as the five-time IPL Champions, while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on the other hand, until now have not had even one single trophy in their name. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have an unmatched fan following and tons of iconic players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, while MI stands tall with 5 IPL trophies under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. This blog dives deep into the timeline of RCB Vs MI and understanding how the rivalry has grown over the years.
Table of Contents
Early Years (2008-2010) of RCB and MI
After the inauguration of the Indian Premier League in 2008, both RCB and MI were fighting against all the other teams to establish their identities. Mumbai Indians were backed up by star players such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya while RCB laid there backs on experienced gems like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru always gave close competition to Mumbai Indians but MI managed to hold their edges due to their balance in the team. Things started to get intense after RCB was backed up by youngsters such as Virat Kohli and Jacques Kallis’ consistently. These early encounters laid the foundation for some of the most unpredictable rivalries in the Indian Premier League.
The Kohli-Gayle Era Vs Mumbai’s Depth in the IPL (2011-2014)
Things started to spice up after the arrival of Chris Gayle in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Chis Gayle alongside Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers made a total devastating combination which kept the bowlers from the opposition team in terror including Mumbai Indians.
- 2011: Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting lineup overwhelmed Mumbai Indians particularly on the grounds of Bengaluru where Chris Gayle easily smashed centuries against experienced bowlers.
- 2012-2013: MI responded boldly with an all-rounder team in which featured deadly pacers such as Malinga and Johnson which proved lethal for young as well as experienced batters rescuing Mumbai Indians from extremely tricky situations.
The 2015 Season of Mini Battles
The 2015 season featured exciting matchups. Chris Gayle gave RCB a historic victory at Wankhede by hammering MI’s bowlers into submission. But thanks to Pollard’s fireworks and Rohit Sharma’s brilliant knock, MI recovered in Bengaluru.
Fans adored this rivalry because neither team allowed the other to dominate for very long, as this back-and-forth trend demonstrated.
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Mumbai Indian’s Dominance over the Years
By the year 2016, Mumbai Indians had become one of the most successful franchise of the Indian Premier League while RCB on the other hand was still struggling for there first IPL trophy.
- 2016: Mumbai Indian’s bowling lineup was backed up by star players such as Jasprit Bumrah and McClenaghan.
- 2017: Mumbai Indians had till now bagged 2 successful IPL titles and were moving forward smoothly for their 3rd title.
This was an extremely frustrating period for RCB fans as they were still struggling for their first IPL trophy.
Nail-Biting Controversies (2018-2019)
In terms of drama, the rivalry really reached its zenith during these seasons.
- 2018: MI dominated at Wankhede with a 46-run victory, while RCB won in Bengaluru by 14 runs, led by Kohli’s 92*.
- 2019: At Chinnaswamy, one of the most contentious IPL games ever took place. Lasith Malinga overstepped when RCB needed seven runs off the last ball, but the umpire did not signal a no-ball. Kohli’s outraged response, labeling it “unacceptable,” after RCB’s 6 run defeat provoked discussions throughout the cricket community.
This incident solidified MI vs. RCB as an emotional rollercoaster rather than merely a cricket rivalry.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Regaining the Edge
After years of heartbreaks, RCB finally began turning the tide.
- 2021: RCB defeated MI twice. Harshal Patel’s four-wicket haul and Glenn Maxwell’s batting brilliance ensured comprehensive wins.
- 2022: RCB chased down a target of 152 with ease, with Anuj Rawat and Kohli guiding them home.
This period gave RCB fans belief that the team could not only match MI but also dominate them.
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The End of the Wankhede Curse for RCB
For nearly a decade, RCB had failed to win at MI’s fortress, Wankhede Stadium. That curse finally broke in 2025.
RCB, led by a composed batting effort and sharp bowling at the death, defended a modest target and won by 12 runs. The key moment came when Krunal Pandya bowled a nerveless final over, sealing the long-awaited victory. For RCB fans, this win wasn’t just about points—it was about ending years of frustration.
Conclusions
There are similarities and differences in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Mumbai Indians story. Mumbai, the illustrious winners, are the epitome of depth and discipline. The ever-present entertainers, Bengaluru, contribute charm and batting prowess.
This rivalry has produced moments that are ingrained in IPL legend, from Malinga’s no-ball controversy to the 2020 Super Over and the 2025 Wankhede breakthrough.
Even though MI has more victories and trophies, RCB’s tenacity and capacity for standout performances guarantee that this match will always be one of the IPL’s most captivating stories.
One thing is certain for fans as the IPL seasons progress: fireworks, heartbreaks, and pure cricketing theatre are to be expected when RCB plays MI.