IPL 2024: It's Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The anticipation was filled to the brim. What was this 'artha aitha (did you understand)?' suspense all about? Virat Kohli added to that excitement by saying: Idhu RCB ya hosa adhyaya (this is the beginning of a new chapter for RCB) on the stage before the big reveal at the team's Unbox event at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.

Finally, after a wait of more than four hours into the extravaganza, the franchise announced that 'Bangalore' in RCB was going to be replaced by 'Bengaluru' ahead of this year's Indian Premier League set to begin on March 22.

Captains Faf du Plessis and Smriti Mandhana, along with Kohli, also unveiled the new jersey and logo. The team's jersey that had combinations of red, black and gold now has predominantly red and blue with a touch of gold.

Adding a nice touch during a glitzy evening was when former India pacer and Karnataka's captain R Vinay Kumar, who played for the team for five seasons, became the latest entrant to the RCB Hall of Fame after Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers.

"Hopefully we can double it up with the trophies. That will be something truly special," said Kohli while congratulating the women's side for the WPL win.

"I will try my best with my ability and experience to do it for the fans and franchise. It is a dream of mine as well to know what it feels like to win the IPL," the 35-year-old batting star added.

The city barely needs a reason to party. Given the fact that RCB's women's team clinched the Women's Premier League trophy two nights ago, there was little to no reason to stop Bengaluru from celebrating. The festive mood started as early as 4 pm even as the men's side went about their business on the ground in an intense 'nets' session. With every member walking out to the field, the decibel level of 'aarceebee' only got louder.

Musicians from Alan Walker to Raghu Dixit made a beeline of performers who kept the crowds dancing and singing on their feet.

The Norwegian DJ Walker, who was presented with a jersey with the number zero and his name etched, got everyone grooving with some of his popular numbers and the official team track he has composed for the upcoming season.

"Firstly it is for the love for the city," said Archit Prasad, a die-hard supporter of RCB since his inception, about the craze for the team. "The other important aspect is that we support the effort put in, irrespective of the result, by the team to give it their all to win for us. No other franchise reaches out to the fans like RCB does. This connection is rare and goes beyond trophies and accolades. Hence the loyalty," he offered

The Basavanagudi resident, whose photo with a banner reading 'drove 1000kms for you RCB' banner went viral in 2022 when he travelled to watch the team play DC, was one among the 25,000 plus fans who turned out to the Unbox event that has now become an annual pre-IPL event.

"It was an amazing feeling to have finally won a title. Yes, most of us had tears when Smriti lifted the trophy," expressed Prasad.