After 18 long seasons without a title, Royal Challengers Bengaluru find themselves in familiar territory - right on the brink of greatness. Their win over Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday secured them second place in the league standings.
This will give them a double shot at reaching the final. Next up: a face-off against Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur on May 29.
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Interestingly, both RCB and PBKS are yet to lift the IPL trophy. But as far as history goes, RCB might just be in a better spot.
Since 2011, when the playoff format was introduced, teams finishing second on the table have gone on to win the title more often than any other position.
Which league positions have produced the most IPL titles?
Finishing second may not sound as glamorous as topping the table. But statistically, it's the most successful position in the IPL playoffs era.
Eight of the last thirteen IPL titles have been won by teams finishing second in the league stage. Chennai Super Kings alone have done it three times - 2011, 2018 and 2021.
Teams that finish first have won only five titles in the same period. RCB themselves topped the table in 2011 - only to fall short in the final.
Here is a breakdown of how each top-four finish has translated into titles:
| Position on Points Table (2011–2024) | Title Wins |
|---|---|
| 1st | 5 |
| 2nd | 8 |
| 3rd | 1 |
| 4th | 0 |
More: Virat Kohli breaks his own record - Who has scored most 50-plus scores in wins in an IPL season?
Will 2025 be different for RCB?
This year, RCB’s squad looks good. Their top players are in good form and they have shown grit in the second half of the league.
But numbers only tell part of the story. For a team that has made three finals without success, this could be the season where history, form and fortune finally align.