The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have reportedly traded the cricket pitch for the tropics, jetting off to the Maldives for a mid-season vacation. The team is currently in a dominant position, sitting second on the IPL 2026 points table with an impressive record of six wins from nine matches. Following their recent clash against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 30, the squad found themselves with a rare seven-day hiatus before their next fixture, providing the perfect window for a brief escape.
RCB players on vacation mode in Maldives
The trip was confirmed via social media when RCB’s New Zealand pacer, Jacob Duffy, shared an Instagram story featuring a serene resort pool with the Maldives tagged as the location. This tropical retreat appears to be a strategic move to keep the players refreshed and mentally sharp as they prepare for the high-pressure business end of the tournament.
Interestingly, RCB is not the only high-profile group to seek out the island nation during this season. Earlier in the week, Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Dwayne Bravo also shared glimpses of his Maldivian getaway on Instagram. This trend of mid-season island retreats seems to be becoming a staple of the IPL lifestyle; last year, Delhi Capitals’ mentor Kevin Pietersen famously made a similar trip, highlighting a growing emphasis on rest and rejuvenation amidst the grueling league schedule.
ALSO READ: 19-year-old woman cricketer commits suicide following selection setback in Puducherry
Individual brilliance has been a hallmark of their campaign so far. Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar currently leads the tournament's bowling charts as the Purple Cap holder, while Virat Kohli remains the cornerstone of the batting lineup. Kohli, who has reclaimed the Orange Cap multiple times throughout the season, continues to be the team's most prolific run-scorer. However, their most recent outing in Ahmedabad served as a wake-up call; despite a rapid start during the powerplay, a middle-order collapse restricted them to a modest 155. Even a spirited spell from Bhuvneshwar wasn't enough to prevent Gujarat Titans from chasing the target with ease.
Despite that recent hiccup, the Bengaluru-based franchise boasts the best net run rate in the competition, largely due to a historic performance against the Delhi Capitals on April 27. In that encounter, the RCB bowlers decimated the DC lineup for a meager 75 runs, a total the batters chased down in just 39 balls. This massive margin of victory has provided them with a significant statistical cushion as the race for the top four intensifies.
As the tournament moves into its final stages, the team is set for a change of scenery. Having completed their scheduled fixtures at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the franchise will play its remaining "home" games at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Fans in Chhattisgarh will get to witness the defending champions in action against heavyweights Mumbai Indians on May 10 and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 13 as the team looks to seal its spot in the knockout rounds.
RCB will next take on Lucknow Super Giants on May 7 at the Ekana Cricket stadium.