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RCB fans point out 2025 may just be their year to win the IPL title, noting that teams finishing second in the league phase have historically won eight times.
Royal Challenger Bengaluru’s Virat Kohli in IPL 2025 (AP)
Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) have been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the inaugural edition in 2008, and in all these years, the team is yet to win the coveted title.
Fans feel 2025 is the year RCB finally get their hands on the IPL trophy, the 18th edition of the tournament.
Before 2011, the IPL was played in a traditional semi-final format, with the first-placed team playing the fourth and the second and third-placed teams facing off. Thereafter, the top two get two chances of making it to the final.
Since then, teams who have finished second have historically fared well, winning on eight occasions, with the teams finishing first winning five times. Teams finishing third have won only once.
Having finished second in the league phase, RCB faithfuls are hopeful.
| YEAR | WINNER | LEAGUE FINISH |
| 2008 | Rajasthan Royals | 1st |
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | 4th |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | 3rd |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | 2nd |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2nd |
| 2013 | Mumbai Indians | 2nd |
| 2014 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2nd |
| 2015 | Mumbai Indians | 2nd |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 3rd |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians | 1st |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | 2nd |
| 2019 | Mumbai Indians | 1st |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | 1st |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | 2nd |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | 1st |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | 2nd |
| 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 1st |
The Rajasthan Royals clinched the title in the inaugural 2008 season under Shane Warne’s leadership after finishing first in the league stage. In 2009, the Deccan Chargers, led by Adam Gilchrist, won the title in South Africa despite finishing fourth in the league table.
Chennai Super Kings began their title-winning journey in 2010, finishing third in the league stage.
CSK defended their crown in 2011 after finishing second. Kolkata Knight Riders lifted their first title in 2012, finishing second in the league. They repeated the feat in 2014, again finishing second.
Mumbai Indians have been one of the most successful teams, winning their first title in 2013 after finishing second. They repeated this success in 2015 (again finishing second), and triumphed in 2017 and 2019, both times after topping the league stage. Their 2020 title was also secured from the top of the table.
Sunrisers Hyderabad won their maiden title in 2016 after finishing third in the league. Chennai Super Kings added more titles in 2018 and 2021, finishing second in both seasons. The Gujarat Titans, in their debut season in 2022, won the trophy after finishing top of the league table.
In 2023, Chennai Super Kings lifted their fifth IPL trophy after finishing second. The most recent champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, claimed the 2024 title after topping the points table during the league phase.
So is it finally RCB’s year in 2025?
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