Shadab Jakati, a former Chennai Super Kings spinner, has opened up about his time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and offered his take on why the franchise has yet to win an IPL trophy. Having started his IPL journey with CSK, Jakati later joined RCB in 2014. However, his time with the Bengaluru-based franchise was short-lived, as he played only one match in his first season there. Despite being one of the most popular teams in the tournament, RCB remains one of the three franchises that have never lifted the IPL trophy. Over the years, they have heavily relied on Virat Kohli and a handful of overseas stars, a strategy that has not yielded the desired results.
As a member of CSK’s title-winning squads in 2010 and 2011, Jakati experienced a stark contrast when he moved to RCB. Reflecting on his time with the franchise, he pointed out that their overdependence on a few key players was a fundamental flaw in their approach.
“It’s a team game. If you want to win trophies, the team needs to play like a unit. 2-3 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. When I was in RCB, they would focus on 2-3 players only,” Jakati told a sports portal.
He also addressed the differences in the dressing room atmosphere between CSK and RCB, making a striking observation about the lack of camaraderie in his new team.
“There was a huge difference as far as team management, dressing room atmosphere is concerned. Players were very good, but there was no camaraderie, the players did not gel properly,” Jakati added.
His remarks shed light on RCB’s ongoing struggles to establish a cohesive team dynamic, which, according to him, has been a key reason for their inability to secure an IPL title. With the franchise still in search of their first championship, Jakati’s insights highlight the importance of building a well-balanced squad and fostering strong team chemistry.
