Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are one of the most popular teams in IPL history. However, when it came to winning the trophy, they failed to use the tricks and trades to come out on top. RCB’s record in IPL finals hasn’t been good. In reality, they lacked the killer instinct to get the better of the opposition in clutch moments.
Overall, they have played three IPL finals before and lost all three encounters. Recently, they beat Punjab Kings in the first qualifier to book their berth in the IPL 2025 final. The big question is, can they finally break the curse? It remains to be seen what the future holds in store for the Bengaluru-based franchise that has long been waiting to end the trophy drought.
RCB’s record in IPL finals
The cricket fraternity is well aware of RCB’s record in IPL finals. RCB lost their first final in 2009 to Deccan Chargers by just 6 runs. Two seasons later, in 2011, they locked horns with Chennai Super Kings but lost by 58 runs. They made it to the finals again four seasons later.
However, it turned out to be a heartbreak for them as they fell short by 8 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Meanwhile, 2025 feels different. Under new captain Rajat Patidar and coach Andy Flower, RCB have looked like a surreal team altogether.
They finished second in the league and even made history by winning all their away games this season. The team seems to have found a rhythm that past squads lacked when it mattered most.
Virat Kohli is leading the way with 614 runs this season, including eight fifties. He is one of the players to watch out for in the showdown. RCB will lock horns with Punjab Kings in the final today at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Read more: Suryakumar Yadav goes past AB de Villiers to create a historic record in IPL
Punjab Kings have their strengths, especially with Shreyas Iyer leading them. They recently beat Mumbai Indians in the qualifier 2 to book their berth in the final. RCB will start as favourites purely based on form and experience. RCB fans have waited a long time.
This might finally be the season where waiting pays off. The team looks ready, the players are peaking, and the momentum is on their side. If ever there was a time to end the drought, it is now.