How RCB’s Long-Awaited IPL Victory Mirrors the Grit and Grind of Indian Startups

After 16 long seasons, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted the IPL trophy — and it wasn’t just a win on the field; it was a masterclass in resilience, consistency, and belief. While cricket fans across the nation erupted in celebration, this moment also resonated deeply with a very different community — Indian entrepreneurs and startups.

Startups and sports may seem like different ballgames, but the journey of RCB holds powerful lessons for every founder trying to build a business in a competitive, fast-paced ecosystem.

Lesson 1: Success Takes Time — And That’s Okay

RCB's win in 2024 came after 17 years of relentless effort, heartbreaks, and close calls. They had the biggest stars, including Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, but the trophy remained elusive — until now.

In the startup world too, overnight success is a myth.

• Paytm, founded in 2010, saw massive highs and lows — from a booming UPI revolution to a post-IPO crash. Still, the company continues to pivot, recently focusing more on financial services.

• Ola, after years of competing with global giants like Uber, had to diversify into electric mobility to stay relevant — Ola Electric is now one of India’s most watched EV unicorns.

Just like RCB, these startups have learned that the road to the top is long — and not linear.

Lesson 2: Build a Loyal Brand, Not Just a Product

Even during its trophy-less years, RCB remained one of the most followed franchises. Their fan loyalty never dipped — thanks to strong branding, a relatable team spirit, and emotional storytelling.

Startups can take cues from this:

• boAt built a massive youth following by being a “desi cool” brand, even before it scaled revenue.

• Zomato has used wit, transparency, and constant engagement to build a cult following — even when its business model was questioned during its early public listing.

Building a tribe matters more than just acquiring users. Loyalty > Virality.

Lesson 3: Reinvention Is the Only Constant

RCB's winning season wasn’t magic. It was the result of strategic changes — better leadership, newer players, stronger bench strength, and improved game plans. They evolved.

So did startups that lasted:

• Nykaa transitioned from an online-only beauty seller to an omnichannel retailer.

• Meesho, initially a social commerce player, is now one of India’s leading e-commerce platforms targeting value-first users.

Founders must constantly ask — is my current model the best version of my startup?

Lesson 4: Leadership with a Long-Term Vision Pays Off

Virat Kohli’s commitment to RCB — through years of criticism and pressure — is a masterclass in leadership. Even after stepping down as captain, he continued to deliver match-winning performances, always putting the team above himself.

Successful Indian founders have shown similar resolve:

• Deepinder Goyal (Zomato) stood his ground during fierce criticism of Zomato’s IPO and controversial acquisitions. Today, Zomato is reporting profits.

• Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola) shifted his entire focus to EVs, betting big on the future of mobility — even when the idea was nascent in India.

Great founders don’t chase applause. They build legacies.

Lesson 5: Failures Are Not the End — They’re Part of the Journey

RCB has finished runner-up three times (2009, 2011, 2016) and even finished last in some seasons. But each loss added to their story, fueling their eventual win.

Startups too are no strangers to setbacks:

• Byju’s, once India’s highest-valued edtech startup, is going through a crisis. But it continues to restructure and raise funds to make a comeback.

• Snapdeal, after losing ground to Flipkart and Amazon, pivoted its model and is silently rebuilding.

In startups, as in cricket, every “loss” is a setup for a stronger comeback — if you don’t quit.

Data Snapshot: Startups That Took Years to Break Out

If there's one key takeaway from RCB’s emotional victory, it’s this — keep showing up. Every pitch, every loss, every change in plan is part of the playbook. Whether you're a founder building a fintech in a crowded market, a D2C brand finding your first 1,000 customers, or an edtech startup struggling with retention, remember - Startups, like champions, are built season by season.