RCB in IPL final: A look at Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s record ahead of GT clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (ANI Photo) As Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to take on Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, they carry a history of heartbreak, near misses and ultimately redemption.RCB will be appearing in their fifth IPL final and they have experienced almost all the emotions that the biggest tournament stage has to offer. For years they were known as one of the most talented teams in the league without a title to show for it. That story finally changed in 2025 when they lifted their first IPL trophy.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL Final

SeasonOpponentResultMarginCaptain2009Deccan ChargersLostBy 6 runsAnil Kumble2011Chennai Super KingsLostBy 58 runsDaniel Vettori2016Sunrisers HyderabadLostBy 8 runsVirat Kohli2025Punjab KingsWonToGampions06Punjab KingsWonToGampions played-Rajat PatidarTheir first attempt at the title came in 2009 under Anil Kumble. When the final was played in Johannesburg, RCB looked well placed to claim the crown before suffering a late collapse and eventually losing to Deccan Chargers by six runs in a nail-biting contest.Two years later, they returned to the top flight under Daniel Vettori. However, the 2011 final proved much more one-sided as Chennai Super Kings outclassed RCB by 58 runs to successfully defend their title.RCB’s next opportunity came in 2016 during one of the most memorable single seasons in IPL history. Led by Virat Kohli, who has enjoyed a record campaign with the bat, Bengaluru entered the final as favorites against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, despite a good start in the pursuit, they fell agonizingly short, losing by eight races and prolonging their wait for their first title.This defeat left another painful scar on the franchise which has now lost three IPL finals without ever lifting the trophy. No team has lost as many IPL finals before winning their first championship.The breakthrough finally came nine years later. In IPL 2025, RCB ended years of disappointment by defeating Punjab Kings in the final to clinch their first IPL title. The long-awaited triumph transformed the franchise’s legacy and removed one of the biggest talking points in IPL history.Now, as they prepare for another final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, RCB have a chance to achieve something they have never been able to do before: successfully defend the IPL crown.From the heartbreaks of 2009, 2011 and 2016 to the glory of 2025, RCB’s journey in the IPL finals has been anything but ordinary. Another win would not only secure a second title but also make them only the third series in IPL history to successfully defend the trophy.