RCB ends 18-year wait: A thrilling yearly recap of IPL champions
New Delhi: Ending an 18-year wait, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the final of this year’s IPL edition at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite finishing at the top of the points table and looking like the dominant side, Punjab Kings were twice overcome by a determined RCB—first in the eliminator and then in the final—shattering their hopes of winning the coveted title for the first time.
This year, Sai Sudarshan of Gujarat Titans (GT) earned the Orange Cap with an impressive 759 runs in 15 matches, while Prasidh Krishna, also of GT, emerged as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 25 wickets in 15 matches.
In IPL history, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings stand out as the most successful franchises, each having won five titles. Chennai Super Kings hold the record for the most final appearances, reaching the IPL final 10 times. Kolkata Knight Riders follow, having won the IPL three times.
Rajasthan Royals lift inaugural trophy in 2008
The star-studded Indian Premier League (IPL) was inaugurated in 2008 with much fanfare, and living up to expectations, the tournament has grown stronger and gained massive popularity in the world of sports.
In 2008, Rajasthan Royals, under Shane Warne, lifted the trophy in the inaugural season. Rajasthan Royals defeated the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 3 wickets in Mumbai. Shaun Marsh of Punjab Kings made his mark on the international stage with 616 runs in 11 matches. He was the first player to win the Orange Cap. Sohail Tanvir of RR bagged the Purple Cap with 22 wickets in 11 matches.
Deccan Chargers triumph in 2009 South Africa edition
Australian legend Adam Gilchrist (495 runs) led Deccan Chargers (now defunct) to the title when they defeated RCB in the final by 6 runs. The tournament was shifted to South Africa due to the General Elections in India. Anil Kumble-led RCB could not hold their nerves and lost to Deccan Chargers in a closely contested final.
With 572 runs in 12 matches, Matthew Hayden of CSK won the Orange Cap, while RP Singh of Deccan Chargers bagged the Purple Cap with 22 wickets in 16 matches.
MS Dhoni’s CSK claim first IPL title in 2010
MS Dhoni-led CSK defeated Mumbai Indians (MI), captained by Sachin Tendulkar, by 22 runs to lift the IPL trophy for the first time in 2010, leaving behind their 2008 disappointment. Suresh Raina (57 runs off 35 balls) was the player of the match.
With 618 runs in 15 matches at an average of 47.53, Sachin Tendulkar won the Orange Cap, while Pragyan Ojha of Deccan Chargers bagged the Purple Cap with 21 wickets in 16 matches.
CSK defend IPL title in 2011
Playing their second IPL final, RCB could not cross the finishing line in 2011 when CSK bagged the trophy for the second consecutive time under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In the final, CSK drubbed RCB by 58 runs. Murali Vijay’s 95 helped CSK post a mammoth total of 205 in 20 overs. Chasing the target, the Daniel Vettori-led side managed only 147 for the loss of eight wickets. West Indian batter Chris Gayle of RCB returned home with the Orange Cap for scoring 608 runs in 12 matches, while Lasith Malinga of MI took 28 wickets in 16 matches to claim the Purple Cap.
KKR win maiden title in 2012
The Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated CSK in the final of the 2012 edition, lifting the trophy for the first time. Chasing a total of 191 runs, Manvinder Bisla (89 runs off 48 balls) and Jacques Kallis (69 runs off 49 balls) helped KKR stop CSK from winning their third title.
Chris Gayle of RCB was the highest run-getter in the 2012 edition with 733 runs in 15 matches. Delhi Capitals’ Morne Morkel left an impact with 25 wickets in 16 matches and won the Purple Cap.
Mumbai Indians secure first title in 2013
MI defended a total of 148 runs in the 2013 IPL final to lift the trophy for the first time. MS Dhoni-led CSK played its fifth final, but their batting in the final could not take them home. Kieron Pollard’s brilliant 60 runs off 32 balls helped MI post a respectable total. MS Dhoni was the lone warrior for CSK with 63 not out, but his team could only score 125 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.
Michael Hussey of CSK was the top scorer of the tournament with 733 runs in 17 matches, while all-rounder Dwayne Bravo of CSK bagged 32 wickets in 18 matches to win the Purple Cap.
KKR add second trophy to cabinet in 2014
KKR became the second team after CSK to win a second IPL trophy in 2014 when they defeated Kings XI Punjab by 3 wickets. Manish Pandey (94), Yusuf Pathan (36), and Piyush Chawla (13* off 5) helped their team chase 200 runs in the final. A brilliant unbeaten century by Wriddhiman Saha (115*) guided Punjab to 199 runs for the loss of four wickets.
Robin Uthappa of CSK scored 660 runs in 16 matches to win the Orange Cap, while Mohit Sharma of CSK was the Purple Cap winner with 23 wickets in 16 matches.
MI clinch second title in 2015
MI won their second IPL title in 2015, defeating CSK in the final by 41 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With collective performances from Lendl Simmons (68), skipper Rohit Sharma (50), Kieron Pollard (36), and Ambati Rayudu (36*), MI posted 202 runs for 5 wickets. Chasing the target, CSK could score only 161 for 8 wickets. Mitchell McClenaghan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs.
David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won the Orange Cap with 562 runs in 14 matches. Dwayne Bravo took 26 wickets in 17 matches, winning the Purple Cap for the second consecutive time.
SRH crowned champions in 2016
Leading from the front, skipper David Warner (848 runs), the second highest run-getter of the season, guided his team to victory. SRH defeated RCB in the final by 8 runs at Bengaluru. David Warner (69), Yuvraj Singh (38), and Ben Cutting (39*) took their team to a total of 208 runs.
RCB’s openers stitched a partnership of 114 runs in 63 balls, but the middle order could not capitalize and finished with 200 runs for 7 wickets. For RCB, Virat Kohli (54) and Chris Gayle (76) were the highest scorers in the final. Virat Kohli bagged the Orange Cap with 973 runs in 16 matches, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar of SRH took 23 wickets in 17 matches to win the Purple Cap.
MI win nail-biter to lift third trophy in 2017
In one of the closest games in IPL history, MI beat Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) by 1 run to win the tournament for the third time. Bowling first after losing the toss, RPS restricted MI to 128 runs with Krunal Pandya scoring 47 runs. MI bowlers pulled off a strong performance to restrict RPS to 127 in 20 overs.
David Warner of SRH was the highest run-getter of the season with 641 runs in 14 matches. Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged the Purple Cap for the second consecutive time, this year from SRH, with 26 wickets in 14 matches.
CSK return from suspension to win 2018 title
After facing suspension for two years over match-fixing allegations, CSK made a memorable comeback and won the IPL title for the third time. In the final played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Shane Watson’s brilliant unbeaten 117 helped CSK defeat SRH in a one-sided contest by 8 wickets. CSK chased the total of 179 runs in 18.3 overs.
SRH skipper Kane Williamson scored 735 runs in 17 matches, finishing as the highest run-scorer. Andrew Tye of Punjab Kings bagged 24 wickets in 14 matches and won the Purple Cap.
MI edge CSK in a thriller to win 2019 title
In another close final, MI pulled off a thrilling victory and defeated CSK by 1 run in the 2019 IPL final played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Batting first, MI could score only 149 runs for the loss of 9 wickets with a handy contribution from Kieron Pollard (41* off 25 balls). Shane Watson tried to repeat his heroics of the 2018 final but could not help his team cross the finishing line. Before being run out, he made a brilliant 80 off 59 balls.
David Warner of SRH won the Orange Cap with 692 runs in 12 matches, while Imran Tahir of CSK won the Purple Cap with 26 wickets in 17 matches.
MI claim record fifth IPL title in 2020
In 2020, the world witnessed the Covid-19 pandemic, turning everything upside down. The IPL was also affected by restrictions to curb the virus spread and was later held in September in the UAE. MI emerged as winners for the record fifth time. In the final played at Dubai International Stadium, MI defeated DC by 5 wickets.
Batting first, Delhi Capitals (DC) scored 156 runs with skipper Shreyas Iyer unbeaten on 65. Mumbai chased the total comfortably in 18.4 overs. Captain Rohit Sharma (68) and Ishan Kishan (33*) guided their team to victory.
KL Rahul of Punjab Kings won the Orange Cap with 670 runs in 14 matches, while Kagiso Rabada of DC took 30 wickets in 17 matches, claiming the Purple Cap.
Faf du Plessis, bowlers power CSK to fourth IPL title in 2021
A brilliant knock of 86 runs by Faf du Plessis and bowlers helped CSK bag their fourth IPL title. In the 2021 final played at Dubai International Stadium, CSK defeated KKR by 27 runs. Chasing a target of 193, KKR started well with their opening pair stitching a partnership of 91 runs, but the batting order collapsed and managed only 165 for 9 wickets.
Ruturaj Gaikwad of CSK emerged as the Orange Cap holder with 635 runs in 16 matches. Harshal Patel of RCB bagged 32 wickets in 15 matches to win the Purple Cap.
Debutants Gujarat Titans stun all in 2022
Gujarat Titans (GT), playing their first IPL season, got off to a great start by defeating Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. GT bowlers did a fine job restricting the opposition to 130/9 in 20 overs. GT batters completed the chase in 18.3 overs for the loss of 3 wickets. Skipper Hardik Pandya was declared man of the match for his all-round performance (30 off 34 and 3/17).
Jos Buttler was the highest run-getter with 863 runs in 17 matches. Yuzvendra Chahal of RR bagged the Purple Cap with 27 wickets in 17 matches.
CSK equal MI record with fifth title in 2023
CSK won their record 5th IPL title in 2023 after defeating GT by 5 wickets via the D/L method at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Defending champion GT, playing their second consecutive final, posted a mammoth total of 214 for 4 wickets. Sai Sudarshan rose to the occasion and scored 96 runs off 47 deliveries.
When CSK began their chase, rain stopped play. After the rain delay, CSK received a revised target of 171 in 15 overs, which they chased losing five wickets. Indian sensation Shubman Gill of GT scored 890 runs in 17 innings and collected the Orange Cap. The Purple Cap went to Mohammad Shami, who took 28 wickets in 17 matches.
Shreyas Iyer leads KKR to third title in 2024
Brilliantly led by captain Shreyas Iyer, KKR won the IPL trophy for the third time. In the 2024 final at Chennai, KKR registered an easy 8-wicket win over SRH. KKR bowlers dominated from the start, bundling out SRH for 113 in 18.3 overs. Star performers of SRH, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, failed to provide their team a good start, which they had often done during the tournament.
KKR chased the target in 10.2 overs for the loss of two wickets. Virat Kohli of RCB won the Orange Cap with 741 runs in 15 innings, while Harshal Patel of Punjab Kings took 24 wickets in 14 matches.
