When Was the Last Time No Former IPL Champions Played in the Final? RCB vs PBKS 2025 Set for Rare Showdown

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RCB vs PBKS: The IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is set to be historic - not only because both teams are chasing their maiden IPL title, but also because it marks one of the rare occasions where no former IPL champions are part of the summit clash.

This is only the fourth time in IPL history that the final will feature two teams that have never lifted the trophy before. The last such occurrence came nine years ago, when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) faced RCB in the 2016 final.

SRH eventually won that match, claiming their first-ever IPL title and denying RCB what would have been theirs in a closely-contested match.

Before 2016, there were only two other instances of a final without any previous champions:

2009: Deccan Chargers vs RCB - Both teams were aiming for their first title. The Chargers, under Adam Gilchrist, triumphed in a tight contest in Johannesburg.

2010: CSK vs MI - Although both Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are now multiple-time champions, they had not won the IPL prior to the 2010 final. CSK emerged victorious that year, starting their legacy of dominance.

Now, in 2025, history repeats itself with RCB and PBKS - two of the most followed franchises - battling it out for their long-awaited first IPL crown. RCB will be playing their fourth final, while PBKS are featuring in only their second, having lost their previous final in 2014 to KKR.

With no former champions in contention, the league is guaranteed to witness a new winner - a rare and refreshing change in a tournament often dominated by powerhouses like CSK and MI. For fans, this adds an extra layer of excitement and significance to the title clash scheduled for June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It's not just a final - it's a fight for legacy.