How history now favours RCB: Qualifier 1 winners have dominated IPL finals

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 31, 2025, 18:21 IST

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have advanced to the 2025 IPL final after defeating Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, marking their fourth final appearance. Historically, Qualifier 1 winners have a strong chance of winning the title, with 11 of the last 14 champions taking this route. RCB now have time to strategize for the final in Ahmedabad.

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RCB players during their Qualifier 1 match against PBKS. (IPL Photo)

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have taken a decisive step towards ending their long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title, securing a place in the 2025 final after a dominant eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on Thursday. With the win, RCB not only advanced to their fourth IPL final — after previous runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016 — but also positioned themselves on the statistically favourable path to championship glory.

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Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In the IPL’s current playoff format, introduced in 2011, teams finishing in the top two after the league stage get two chances to reach the final. And there’s a strong historical trend that favours the winner of Qualifier 1 – 11 of the 14 IPL titles since 2011 have been won by the team that advanced directly to the final through this route.Who's that IPL player?Even more telling, all seven champions from 2018 to 2024 — including CSK (2018, 2021, 2023), MI (2019, 2020), GT (2022) and KKR (2024) — were winners of Qualifier 1.

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Will RCB win their first IPL title in 2025?

Yes, definitely!No, they will fall short.

It’s a trend that puts RCB in an enviable position as they prepare for the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.Riding on Virat Kohli’s class and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, RCB have carried momentum and clarity into the playoffs. This extended break before the final gives them time to recover, strategise and sharpen their edge for the title bout.

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Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Friday, with the winner facing PBKS in Qualifier 2. Whoever emerges from that battle will meet a well-rested RCB, who now not only hold form but also history firmly in their favour. Is 2025 finally RCB’s year? All signs are promising.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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