Royal Challengers Bengaluru record in the IPL finals

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reached the IPL finals on four occasions.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced in the year 2008 and has witnessed 18 seasons till 2025. The tournament witnessed a clash between eight teams in the maiden season. However, the league has undergone significant evolution, and over the last few years, 10 teams have battled for the title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), formerly Royal Challengers Bangalore, have been part of the IPL since the first season in 2008 and have played in all 18 seasons. They have been a dominating side in the league over the years. Although RCB have not won the IPL title yet, they have reached the playoffs on 10 occasions.

Moreover, they have made it to the final on four occasions, including the IPL 2025 edition. In the ongoing season, the Rajat Patidar-led side outplayed Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Qualifier 1 to book a place in the summit clash.

In the past, RCB always failed to steal the champions tag by goofing up in the final. Interestingly, RCB have always chased in the IPL finals. On that note, let us look at RCB’s record in the IPL finals over the years.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru record in the IPL finals

IPL 2009 – Lost final by six runs

In the second edition of the IPL in 2009, the Anil Kumble-led side reached the final by crushing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second semi-final. In the final against Deccan Chargers, skipper Kumble bagged a fabulous four-wicket haul to halt the opposition for just 143/6 in the first innings.

While victory seemed like an easy task for RCB, they faced a batting collapse in the second innings. Roelof van der Merwe scored the most (32 runs) as no other batter took responsibility in the chase. In the end, RCB finished at 137/9 in 20 overs to lose the match by just six runs.

IPL 2011 – Lost final by 58 runs

RCB reached the IPL final for the second time in the 2011 season under skipper Daniel Vettori. In the playoffs, they lost to CSK in Qualifier 1, but defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) in Qualifier 2 to book a berth in the final.

In the high-scoring final, MS Dhoni-led CSK posted a mammoth total of 205/5 in the first innings with half-centuries by openers Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay. Later, RCB fell to the pressure and could only add 147/8 in the second innings, losing by a huge margin of 58 runs.

IPL 2016 – Lost final by eight runs

Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, RCB reached the final in the 2016 season. They outplayed Gujarat Lions in Qualifier 1 to snatch a spot in the final, where they collided with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). David Warner-led SRH posted a gigantic total of 208/7 in the first innings.

RCB openers Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli slammed fifties to etch an impressive opening stand of 114 runs. However, other batters failed to follow up on their good start. In the end, RCB ended with 200/7 on the scoreboard and lost by a thin margin of just eight runs.

(List updated till 2nd June, 2025)

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