Royal Challengers Bangalore have a lot to their credit as an Indian Premier League franchise with giants of the game such as AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Rahul Dravid having played for them. Now, there's another feather in their cap. RCB have introduced a ‘Dog Out’ zone for pet parents and their four-legged companions at their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Initially starting as a one-off arrangement in 2019, it has now become a permanent facility at the stadium. ‘Dog Out’ is a one-of-a-kind arrangement that will allow fans to watch teams battle it out with their rivals along with their furry friends. It is an initiative dedicated to making cricket matches pet-friendly. The special area provides dog parents with seating arrangements, and also food and water for their pets. There is no bar on breed, as long as the dog is well-behaved and does not have medical complications.

"We're delighted to have Dog Out zone at our home ground, providing pet parents with the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with their furry companions. Many fans used to miss out on the excitement of watching RCB play as they were confined to home, tending to their pets during matches but now they can come to the stadium and watch cricket with their pets without any inconvenience. At RCB, we're committed to ensuring that everyone, including pet parents, can relish the bold cricket experience and the Dog Out is a key part of this commitment as it embodies our unwavering devotion to inclusivity and enjoyment for all, fostering a sense of strong community through the game," said Rajesh Menon, VP and Head of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Recently, on March 24 during a match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a dog entered the ground, halting the match for some time. Videos of ground staff kicking and punching the visibly confused dog took over the Internet with animal lovers, celebrities and PETA heavily criticising the act. At a time like this, this initiative stands out for its inclusivity and has come as a breather for dog parents.

Virat Kohli's love for dog

RCB's most popular player Virat Kohli has a love for dogs. He previously had a Beagle at his home in Delhi, and now is a pet-parent along with Anushka Sharma to a Labrador Retriever named Dude.

The men's Royal Challengers Bangalore team has never won the Indian Premier League title. But they recently secured bragging rights as the women's RCB team, led by Smriti Mandhana, clinched the IPL crown.

In the ongoing Indian Premier League, RCB have managed to win only three games out of four. Their next game is against Rajasthan Royals, who won the inaugural IPL title in 2008 under the watch of legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne.