Bengaluru: Celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 title triumph saw participation from across the sporting world, with Indian badminton star PV Sindhu adding a unique and light-hearted touch through her congratulatory message.
Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist who has been based in Bengaluru in recent years, took to social media to share a humorous post, playfully crediting herself as a “lucky charm” behind the franchise’s recent success.
Sindhu’s playful message wins hearts
In her Instagram post, PV Sindhu wrote, “RCB fans, I am not saying I am the lucky charm. But I moved to Bangalore and suddenly you have won the trophy every year since. Do the maths.”
Her message quickly gained traction among fans, blending humour with heartfelt appreciation for the team’s journey. She extended congratulations to the players, support staff, ownership and the passionate fanbase that has stood by the franchise through years of highs and lows.
Emotional journey of RCB fans
Sindhu also acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster that RCB supporters have experienced over the years. Despite boasting star-studded line-ups, the team had long struggled to convert performances into trophies, often falling short in crucial moments.
“This franchise has carried so much emotion, madness, heartbreak, belief and love over the years,” she wrote, adding that witnessing back-to-back titles was “truly special.”
RCB’s recent success marks a significant shift in the team’s fortunes, rewarding one of the most loyal fanbases in the IPL.
Special mention for Ananya Birla
In her message, Sindhu reserved special praise for entrepreneur Ananya Birla and her family, who became part of the franchise’s ownership group prior to its successful run.
She described their journey as “main character energy”, highlighting the remarkable timing of their association with the team’s title victories. The acknowledgment added a personal dimension to her post, reflecting her friendship with Birla.
A dream final that wasn’t
While celebrating RCB’s triumph, Sindhu admitted there was one scenario she would have loved to see unfold — a final between RCB and her hometown franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“SRH vs RCB would have emotionally destroyed all of us in the best way,” she remarked, underlining the excitement such a clash would have generated among fans.
Despite that, she emphasised that Bengaluru fully deserved the title after years of near misses and heartbreak.
Sindhu’s performance on the court
Away from cricket, Sindhu recently competed in the Singapore Open, where her campaign ended in the quarter-finals. She suffered a defeat against world No. 1 An Se-young.
Before that, Sindhu had shown strong form, registering straight-game victories over Putri Kusuma Wardani and Riko Gunji. Her performance indicated positive momentum despite the eventual loss to the top seed.
RCB’s continued dominance
RCB’s IPL 2026 victory marked their second title and reinforced their emergence as a dominant force in franchise cricket. With players like Virat Kohli leading from the front, the team has managed to translate consistency into silverware.
The franchise’s turnaround has also been a testament to strategic planning, squad balance and sustained performance across seasons.
Conclusion
PV Sindhu’s playful “lucky charm” remark added a refreshing and relatable angle to RCB’s celebrations, resonating with fans across sports. Her message not only celebrated the team’s achievement but also captured the emotional bond between Bengaluru and its sporting icons.
As RCB continues its winning run and Sindhu aims for further success on the badminton circuit, the crossover of support between different sports highlights the unity and passion within India’s sporting community.
