It was the year 2016, the last time when RCB ended up in the top-2 of the points table of the IPL and got to play in the Qualifier 1. The best batter of this era- Virat Kohli was in the form of his life. Other greats of the game like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle and Shane Watson kept making it easier for the team and allowed it to go on a winning streak and thus eventually sealing their position at no. 2 that season. What followed them was a massive collapse in the Qualifier 1 while chasing against the Gujarat Lions. That is when de Villiers played one of the finest knocks of his IPL career, rescuing RCB just like he did every time. Mr. 360 powered his team straight into the Final. It seemed as if everything was finally coming together for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. One of the best squads of the league with everyone peaking and on top of that, the venue for the Final was their home ground, Chinnaswamy itself. Chasing a target of 209 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB was perfectly on track, needing just 69 runs in 44 balls, inching closer to history with every shot. Little did everyone know, the best batting unit of the tournament was about to collapse like a pack of cards. They lost the Final by 8 runs and once again, the IPL trophy evaded RCB. Post 2016 Syndrome RCB had three horrendous seasons one after the other during 2017-19 and failed to qualify in each of those. Since 2020 they have been really consistent with their performance, making it to the Playoffs 5 times in 6 seasons. However cricketing gods haven't given them enough support to get their hands on that title yet. RCB couldn't go past the Eliminator in 2020 as well as 2021. They did go on to cross that huddle the following year but lost in the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals. After missing out on the qualification in 2023, they had an exceptional performance in 2024. With almost no chances of qualification at the halfway stage, they went on to win 6/6 of their last league matches and qualified after beating CSK in an intense encounter. But the demons of the Eliminator came haunting them back and they couldn't go further that year as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@royalchallengers.bengaluru) Story of This Season Having won 9 out of their 14 league matches and one being washed out, RCB have entered the Playoffs with the joint highest points this season, that is, 19. Their historic and unbelievable run chase against the Lucknow Super Giants ensured that they finish in the top two and therefore get to play the Qualifier 1 alongside Punjab Kings. They've also achieved an extraordinary feat this year, which is, winning all of their seven away games in a season- something that has never happened before in the history of IPL. Also Read: PBKS vs RCB Qualifier 1 Preview - Venue, Squads & More Another interesting stat is that RCB has become the first team in IPL history with 50+ scores from 10 different batters in the same season. It won't be wrong to say that until now, they've put in great hardwork and phenomenal teamwork, with players stepping up at the right time and thus they have rightly deserved and earned their spot in the Qualifier 1. However the players need to realise that the actual work starts now. It is the business end of the tournament and the other three teams would also give their 110% every time. RCB has reached the top two after a long wait of 9 years. Kohli, who was then ruling all the formats of this sport, has now retired from two of them. Many of the people who were players back then, are now full time coaches. RCB would be itching to make the most of this opportunity and enter the Final in the first chance itself and rightfully so. It has taken them almost a decade and infinite heartbreaks to reach at this position once again, to know what it feels like to play the first match of the Playoffs and have the cushion of that one extra chance in case things go south. The incredible win against LSG must have boosted their confidence and self belief before the big games. It's once again important for Kohli and other key players to step up and guide their team home. RCB have to realise that this actually might be a good chance for them and hence play responsibly.