Ahmedabad: "The trophy hadn’t reached the shores of Bengaluru yet. If I could be part of that journey, why not?" With these heartfelt words, Dinesh Karthik captures the emotional and unfinished quest of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first episode of their new docuseries 'Journey to the Finale', offering fans a rare look inside the franchise’s pursuit of its elusive maiden IPL title.
The debut episode, titled 'The Foundation', features Head Coach Andy Flower, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and newly appointed mentor Dinesh Karthik sharing the philosophy, planning and passion that have shaped RCB's 2025 campaign.
Karthik, who transitioned from player to coach following his retirement, said returning to the RCB set-up carried deep personal significance. "Being part of RCB is a very special feeling… the fans, the brand of cricket, and the emotional highs and lows. The trophy hadn’t reached the shores of Bengaluru yet. If I could be part of that journey, why not?"
Reflecting on squad composition, he added: "We did beautifully in picking a very balanced squad, knowing what sort of players we want and which player would fit in which role."
He highlighted experience and leadership as key differentiators in the 2025 line-up: “The difference is the amount of experience through the 12 players, the strength and depth in batting, and most importantly, the quality of bowling. And many leaders – not just one or two – but lots of leaders throughout the squad.”
Andy Flower, who is overseeing a generational shift with Rajat Patidar taking over captaincy, underlined the importance of a strong leadership core: “Having a number of those leaders in the group is going to help Rajat, not just Virat, but some of the international experience that we have in the squad. And Indian players like Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar – I think those type of players will be a great support to a young and up-and-coming captain.”
Mo Bobat, speaking on the broader mission, said the team’s primary aim is to inspire fans: “You don’t have to spend too long in Bengaluru for someone to remind you that you’ve got a trophy to win. For me, the real aim and the aspiration is to inspire our fans… not just by winning, but by the way we play and the things we achieve along the way.”
On the addition of Karthik to the support staff, Bobat said, “We were really keen to add him the moment I was aware he was contemplating retirement. Even before then, I thought he was somebody who would really add value as a coach.”
He also reflected on the outcome of the auction, stating: “Nobody gets everything they want at an auction. But in terms of the shape of the team and the vision Andy and I talked about, we pretty much nailed that.”
In terms of approach, Bobat laid out a bold blueprint: “We want to be as aggressive as we can with the bat, have a real wicket-taking approach with the ball, and be fighters on the field. We also want to be the type of team that’s resilient and can deal with pressure.”
On the coaching environment, he added: “We share the principle that we would like our players to walk onto the field and make their own decisions… For Andy and I, it’s about creating an environment where people feel safe, feel backed and accountable – that’s the key bit.”
With belief, balance and emotional commitment at the core, 'Journey to the Finale' gives fans a ringside view of a team hungry to end its title drought. And at the heart of it all stands a line from Karthik that sums up the spirit of RCB’s 2025 journey: “If I could be part of that journey, why not?"
