RCB vs PBKS : What are the past records of RCB and PBKS in IPL finals?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has reached three finals but remain without a title, underscoring the unpredictability and competitiveness of IPL finals. On the other hand, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) stable has only met a finalist just once and that too, over a decade back in time. 

True to the changing vagaries of the game, it isn't sure as to what will become of the final contest that is about to undergo live in the next few hours but a thing can be said and must be said for certain.

Virat Kohli's RCB team, captained by Rajat Patidar will be keen to lift their first-ever title in their IPL history. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer, who has led valiantly and from the front, will be mindful of the fact that the final game is more than some score to settle with the RCB, who beat them previously, rather a story of vindication and inspiration.

The two teams are yet to win a single title and there'll only be one winner tomorrow, but of course. But what about their respective journeys up to this point in time? Let us find out how both RCB and Punjab have performed in each of the times they've made it to the IPL final stage:

RCB in 2009 IPL finals (slow but steady progress)

What's important to note about the 2009 edition is that this was the time where the tournament fielded eight teams, not more.

Over a decade and a half back in time, the famed RCB unit appeared in its maiden IPL final, which was a huge step in itself, considering in just the second season of the tournament, the franchise had made it to a final contest.

On way to reaching the finals, the team actually overcame quite a few hurdles, winning nine games whilst losing seven.

In this edition, the RCB appeared in full form beating Rajasthan in their very-first game by a big margin of 75 runs.

Their immediate next three games yielded defeats, one each to Chennai, (erstwhile) Deccan Chargers and even Punjab

Ahead of the finals, interestingly, they won the critical games against the Chennai Super Kings, which was then the 2nd semi-final and the game against Deccan Chargers. These were won by a margin of, 6 wickets and 12 runs, respectively. However, the final contest saw the RCB being defeated by the Chargers by just 6 runs.

RCB in 2011 IPL finals (rocky start before the final appearance)

This was only the second time that the famed RCB unit made to the finals of the much-loved Indian Premier League competition and this time around, they were captained by Daniel Vettori

In terms of the league stage, the RCB played 14 games, out of which they won 9 games whilst losing 4, with one contest falling to the clutches of a no-result.

Overall, the RCB endured a rocky start to the tournament.

In this season, the RCB began with a bang, beating what was then a side present in the 2011 edition: Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

They'd lose their next game comprehensively against the Mumbai Indians; this would be the opponent Bangalore would end up forging a great rivalry with as the later editions of the tournament panned out.

They'd also lose their next game against a familiar opponent: Deccan Chargers, which was followed by another defeat versus CSK.

Further harsh luck would come to them with their next game, with the contest that time against Rajasthan being abandoned without a ball being bowled owing to inclement weather.

But ahead of the big final, RCB recovered the lost form and played bold, especially in contests such as the big clash vs Mumbai Indians, which was the Qualifier 2.

Prior to that, RCB also defeated teams like CSK, which happened to be their opponents in the last contest prior to the start of the qualifier stage.

Finally, upon reaching the finals, the RCB lost to CSK by 58 runs, failing to even score 150 when tasked with 206 to get.

RCB in 2016 ( a story of hope and inspiration even as the title drought continued)

Captained back then by Virat Kohli and coached by their former captain, Vettori, the RCB reached back in 2016, a final for the third-time, which still is no mean feat.

Prior to reaching the play-off stage, the RCB unit competed in 14 games, of which they lost 6 contests but winning 8 games.

Their wins came against teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rising Pune Supergiant (whom they beat twice), King's XI Punjab (whom they beat twice), Gujarat Lions, KKR and Delhi Daredevils.

Some of their wins mere massive, for instance the 9-wicket win versus KKR and also the 144-run assault waged against Gujarat Lions.

Virat Kohli, the captain replete with courage and class, led by an example eventually emerged as the top scorer in the edition scoring a mind-boggling 973 runs.

Then, eventually in the play-off stage, whilst they beat Gujarat Lions yet again, they'd lose to Hyderabad by a painfully small margin of 8 runs and that too, at Bangalore. RCB opponents, Warner, Dhawan and Yuvraj all made useful runs to defeat Bangalore.

RCB in 2025 (a story of consistent triumphs, so far)

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have reached the IPL final yet again. But on their way to this particular edition's final, they found some inspirational leadership in the young and rising Rajat Patidar.

In the group stage, they played 14 games, of which the RCB won on 9 occasions, losing just 4 contests to assert their dominance in the edition. At the same time, just 1 game went down to a no-result.

Right at the start of this season, they beat Kolkata and CSK before losing to Gujarat before beating Mumbai, a familiar opponent.

Just ahead of the final stage, which is in the next few hours, the RCB beat the LSG side to enter the playoff stage. This was an important win by a margin of 6 wickets.

Next up, the RCB, upon entering the playoff arena, beat Punjab Kings by a margin of 8 wickets. Right now, the momentum is with them, but Punjab too, have a score to settle.

Punjab Kings in the 2014 finals (heartbreak upon reaching the finals for the 1st time)

In the 2014 season of the famed IPL, the Punjab side reached the finals, which still happens to be the only one occasion where prior to 2025 edition, the franchise from North India reached the eventuality of the tournament.

Back then in 2014, King's XI, as they were called, were captained by George Bailey, the smiling Aussie.

And they'd lose the final contest that they'd play against the mighty KKR side.

But in this edition of the IPL, Punjab would fetch more success than defeats in terms of number of games won. They'd win 11 and lose just 3 contests.

Prior to playing the big fat final, the King's XI Punjab team met the mighty Chennai side in the Qualifier- 2 stage. This contest, however, would see Punjab with a win by a margin of 24 runs during which one of their biggest contestants, Sehwag outshone everyone with the bat. The right hander hit a belligerent 122 off just 9.4 overs in the middle.

Punjab in the 2025 edition (a story to unfold)

Led valiantly and courageously by Shreyas Iyer, only the last night did Punjab silence the mighty Mumbai Indians unit, defeating them by 5 wickets with an over in spare.

This time around, playing the must-win qualifier-to-the-final contest, the captain, Shreyas Iyer led by an example in scoring a matchwinning unbeaten 87 off just 41.

At this point in time, the Punjab Kings are really playing like one having won 4 of their last 5 encounters.

From their 14 games, thus far, ahead of the finals, they've lost just 4 and won 9 of those contests.

How do the 2 teams stack up where it comes to their individual best IPL efforts?