The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the first team to reach the final of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) after thrashing Gujarat Titans (GT) by runs at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. The Rajat Patidar-led side will play either the Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), or Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the final on Sunday (May 31) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

RCB are now overwhelming favorites to win the title, as history suggests that they have an 80% chance of being crowned champions for the second year in a row. The Patidar-led side had never lifted the trophy before last season's triumph and can become only the third team after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) to defend their trophy.

Since the IPL's playoff system was introduced in 2011, the title has been won in 12 of the 15 seasons (80% of the times) by the winner of the first qualifier (Q1), which includes each of the last seven seasons. The last instance of the winner of qualifier two (Q2) winning the title was in 2017. However, one of the three instances of a team winning Q1 and not winning the final was RCB when they lost to SRH in 2016. That was also the only instance to date of a team playing the eliminator and lifting the trophy.

IPL Q1 Winners And Title Winners Since Playoff System Was Introduced In 2011

Meanwhile, ifhistoryis to go by, GT will face RCB again in the final. There have been only three instances of the teams playing the first qualifiers not playing each other again in the final, with the last of that happening nine years ago (in 2017, when the Mumbai Indians beat the Rising Pune Super Giants). Meanwhile, SRH (in 2016 after beating RCB) and MI (in 2013 after beating CSK) are the only other two instances of a team winning the title after playing the second qualifier.

The Titans will now head to New Chandigarh for Q2, which will take place on Friday (May 29).

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Aayush Kataria is a Senior Copy Editor at Times Network with four years of experience, having started his career in the organisation. He is a key memb...View More

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