The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have undoubtedly had the best bunch of players over the years, as the franchise has been associated with names like veteran Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Dale Steyn, Anil Kumble, Jacques Kallis and Shane Watson.
Despite having such an enriched squad, RCB’s trophy cabinet has remained empty over the years, despite having appeared in three finals before. Now, after securing a dominating win in the first qualifier against Punjab Kings played at Mullanpur, one question arises: can the Royal Challengers lift the maiden title in 2025?
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) performance in IPL Playoffs
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached the IPL playoffs for the tenth time between 2008 and 2025. They have advanced to the final clash thrice in all these years, as they have reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016, while 2025 will be the fourth season where Challengers will be seen in action in the finals.
| YEAR | STAGE REACHED | RESULT |
| 2009 | Final | Lost to Deccan Chargers by 6 runs |
| 2010 | Semi-finals | Lost to Mumbai Indians by 35 runs |
| 2011 | Final | Lost to Chennai Super Kings by 58 runs |
| 2015 | Qualifier 2 | Lost to Chennai Super Kings by 3 wickets |
| 2016 | Final | Lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 runs |
| 2020 | Eliminator | Lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets |
| 2021 | Eliminator | Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by 4 wickets |
| 2022 | Qualifier 2 | Lost to Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | Eliminator | Lost to Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets |
| 2025 | Finals | Finals YET TO BE PLAYED |
RCB performance in IPL Finals
Royal Challengers Bangalore have played in 15 matches before and have the lowest winning percentage in IPL playoffs. Having won just 5 matches, they have a win percentage of just 33.33%, losing all three of the IPL finals they qualified for.
IPL 2009 Final: The first missed Chance
Royal Challengers Bangalore played in their first-ever IPL final back in 2009 under then-skipper Anil Kumble against Adam Gilchrist’s Deccan Chargers. Despite the skipper Kumble’s stunning spell from 4/16 to restrict the Deccan Chargers to just 143, they eventually lost the momentum of their innings to Andrew Symonds and Pragyan Ojha with vital breakthroughs. Royal Challengers Bangalore fell short by 6 runs in the chase and lost their hands on their maiden title.
IPL 2011 Final: One sided domination for CSK’s second title win
Just two years later, after their first defeat in the 2009 final, Royal Challengers Bangalore once again made it to the finals of the IPL 2011 against the champions of IPL 2010, the Chennai Super Kings. It was Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay who had a terrific hundred-run partnership, as CSK powered to a huge 20+ total. Royal Challengers Bangalore, despite having the likes of Gayle, Kohli and ABD, could not advance to win the final.
IPL 2016 Final: Best chance that slipped away
Another 200+ first innings total against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final of IPL 2016, as David Warner and an explosive Ben Cutting innings landed SRH a decent 208-run target. Chris Gayle and Kohli put on a dazzling opening stand of a 114-run partnership within the first 10 overs. Once the two openers fell early, the remaining Royal Challengers Bangalore batters crumbled to the duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman. Royal Challengers Bangalore eventually fell short by 8 runs.
IPL 2025 Final: A New Dawn for Royal Challengers Bangalore
As Royal Challengers Bangalore prepares for the fourth final, they, with their balanced squad, consistent players, and efficient bunch of bowlers, look quite confident as a camp to finally break their jinx in IPL finals and lift the IPL title.
Will Royal Challengers Bangalore finally win the IPL trophy? Or will the wait for the maiden title continue? The answer awaits on the 3rd of June.
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