70 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 have been played, and now it's time for the Playoffs! Four teams have made it to the top, with two of them having never won the title in 17 years.
As the 18th edition of the IPL reaches its business end, Qualifier 1 will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, for a spot in the final.
Only one of them can move a step closer to that elusive first title. As fans gear up for this high-stakes clash — held at PBKS' home ground — let's take a look at RCB's unique journey this season, along with the stats, streaks, and standout moments that defined it.
RCB's road to Qualifier 1
IPL 2025 kicked off with a blockbuster clash between the defending champions KKR and RCB at Eden Gardens. The atmosphere was as intense as it gets, but RCB rose to the occasion and defeated KKR by 7 wickets — their first win at Eden in six years — setting the tone for their exciting group stage matches.
Chepauk had been a fortress for Chennai since the inception of the IPL. However, that changed when RCB stormed in and rewrote history — sealing a long-overdue win over CSK at the venue for the first time in 17 years. RCB defeated CSK by 50 runs — a commanding margin in a stadium packed with fans in yellow jerseys.
Another jinx was broken when RCB conquered the intimidating Wankhede Stadium — a venue where victories had long been rare and hard-fought. For the first time in 10 years, they defeated the mighty MI side, securing a hard-earned win by 12 runs.?
RCB continued their reign and silenced the home crowd in the capital, finally getting the better of DC on their turf for the first time in seven years. They secured a convincing 6-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru may be RCB's home ground, but victories there have often been hard to come by. However, in a historic first, RCB didn't just defeat CSK once — they beat them twice in the same season, a feat they had never achieved before. The 2nd clash was a nail-biting thriller, with RCB clinching victory by just 2 runs in a tense final over.
In a display of fearless batting and nerves of steel, RCB chased down a mammoth target of 228 set by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the last league match, setting a new benchmark in their IPL history. This match was a must-win for RCB to book a Top 2 finish, and they achieved this feat in style.
Dominance on the road became a hallmark of RCB's campaign, as they made history by becoming the 1st-ever team to remain unbeaten in all their away matches during the league stage. Interestingly, due to weather issues in Bengaluru, one of their designated home games was relocated to Lucknow — where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). However, when they returned to the same venue as the away side against LSG, RCB came out on top, maintaining their perfect away record.
After nearly a decade of inconsistency, RCB finally secured a coveted top-two finish in the league stage, earning themselves a crucial second shot at reaching the final — for the first time in nine years. The last time they achieved this was back in 2016, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, when they finished second in the standings and went on to play in the final.
RCB set a new record with 10 different players scoring 50 or more runs in a single IPL season. It wasn't a one-man show — as it always was with the burden on Virat Kohli. This time, the team fired in unison, with each player stepping up when it mattered most. The sheer number of half-centurions showcased the remarkable depth and balance in their batting lineup.?
RCB had eight different players win the Player of the Match award — a first in the franchise's history. From explosive performances at the top of the order to game-changing spells with the ball, their season was defined by collective brilliance, with multiple players stepping up as match-winners throughout the campaign.? ?