As Royal Challengers Bengaluru prepare to take on Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, they do so carrying a history filled with heartbreak, near misses and, finally, redemption.RCB will be appearing in their fifth IPL final and have experienced almost every emotion the tournament’s biggest stage can offer. For years, they were known as one of the league’s most talented teams without a title to show for it. That narrative finally changed in 2025 when they lifted their maiden IPL trophy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL Finals
| Season | Opponent | Result | Margin | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Lost | By 6 runs | Anil Kumble |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost | By 58 runs | Daniel Vettori |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lost | By 8 runs | Virat Kohli |
| 2025 | Punjab Kings | Won | Champions | Rajat Patidar |
| 2026 | Gujarat Titans | To be played | – | Rajat Patidar |
Their first shot at the title came in 2009 under the captaincy of Anil Kumble. Playing the final 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 summit clash under Daniel Vettori. However, the 2011 final proved far more one-sided as Chennai Super Kings outclassed RCB by 58 runs to successfully defend their title.RCB’s next opportunity arrived in 2016 during one of the most memorable individual seasons in IPL history. Led by Virat Kohli, who enjoyed a record-breaking campaign with the bat, Bengaluru entered the final as favourites against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Yet despite a strong start in the chase, they fell agonisingly short, losing by eight runs and extending their wait for a maiden title.That defeat left another painful scar on a franchise that had now lost three IPL finals without ever lifting the trophy. No team had 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 and securing their maiden 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 done before: successfully defend the IPL crown.From the heartbreaks of 2009, 2011 and 2016 to the glory of 2025, RCB’s journey in IPL finals has been anything but ordinary. Another victory would not only deliver a second title but also make them only the third franchise in IPL history to successfully defend the trophy.
