IPL finals featuring trophyless teams from 2008 to 2025

IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar (Source: X/IPL)

Getting to the final of the Indian Premier League requires immense effort and consistency. Making it to the final of the competition and going on to win the all-important clash requires a mix of skill and strategy. Only the most resilient teams manage to make their way through to the league phase and playoffs. 

PBKS and RCB, ranked first and second, respectively, find themselves in the final of , after stellar group-stage runs. The two sides will be meeting each other in Ahmedabad on June 3 in a bid to secure silverware for the first time ever.

IPL finals featuring trophyless teams from 2008 to 2025 1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Deccan Chargers (2009) IPL 2009, Final: RCB vs DCH (Source: IPL/BCCI)

RCB and DCH had finished seventh and eighth in the eight-franchise inaugural edition, respectively. The two sides ended third and fourth in 2009, respectively. They made their way to the final via six-wicket victories in their respective semi-final clashes.

Electing to field first, RCB restricted DCH to 143/6 on the back of a four-wicket haul by skipper, Anil Kumble (4/16 in four overs). Vinay Kumar (2/30 in four overs) provided a couple of breakthroughs too. Herschelle Gibbs (53* off 48) top-scored for DCH. Coming to open the batting, he remained unbeaten till the end.

It was a collective bowling display by DCH to restrict RCB to 137/9 in their 20-over quota. Pragyan Ojha (3/28 in four overs) was complemented well by Andrew Symonds (2/18 in three overs) and Harmeet Singh (2/23 in four overs). Only Roelof van der Merwe (32 off 21) was able to score above the 30-run mark.

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2. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings (2010) IPL 2010, Final: MI vs CSK (Source: IPL/BCCI)

MI and CSK won their respective semi-final clashes by almost similar margins (35 and 38 runs, respectively) to meet each other in the final of the 2010 edition of the IPL at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Incidentally, MI and CSK had won a game apiece against each other during the league phase.

Electing to bat first, CSK ended at 168/5. Suresh Raina (57* off 35) remained unbeaten till the end. Matthew Hayden (17 off 31) failed to get going up at the top. Dilhara Fernando (2/23) bowled an impressive 14 dot balls in his spell. Harbhajan Singh (0/30 in four overs) and Lasith Malinga (0/33 in four overs) failed to pick up a wicket.

MI's first two partnerships between Shikhar Dhawan (0 off 8) and Sachin Tendulkar (48 off 45) and Sachin and Abhishek Nayar (27 off 26) yielded only 67 off 68 deliveries. It was CSK's spinners (4/88 in 13 overs) which won the game for them. Kieron Pollard's 27 off 10 went in vain.

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3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016) IPL 2016, Final: RCB vs SRH (Source: IPL)

RCB and SRH had both finished on 16 points each with the two finishing second and third, respectively. While RCB secured their berth in the final with a win in Qualifier 1, SRH had to do it the hard way by battling through the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.

A ninth fifty of IPL 2016 by David Warner (69 off 38) provided his side with just the platform which was required. 's (39* off 15) late onslaught took SRH to 208/7. Sreenath Aravind (2/30) was the most frugal bowler for the hosts. Shane Watson's quota leaked 61 runs.

A century stand by Chris Gayle (76 off 38) and Virat Kohli (54 off 35) made it seem that RCB would end up winning the contest quite comprehensively. However, a middle-order implosion meant RCB were left agonisingly short. Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded only 25 runs in his four overs in what was an out-and-out run-fest.

4. Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025) Rajat Patidar and Shreyas Iyer. (Photo source: X/IPL)

PBKS will take on RCB in the summit clash of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium today. Both sides finished first and second on the points table, respectively, after getting to 19 points each. They won nine, lost four, and had a no-result prior to the playoffs.

RCB defeated PBKS in Qualifier 1 by eight wickets and 60 deliveries to spare. In a one-sided contest, PBKS were reeling at 60/7 at one stage. However, the lower order batters ensured they crossed the 100-run mark by just a run. RCB chased down with minimal damage and maximum impact.

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The final is being held with a lot of hype. Shreyas Iyer played a captain's knock (87*) in the Qualifier 2 at the same ground two night back. One could say PBKS have the momentum after such an inspiring performance but only time will tell who will have the hands on their first IPL trophy.