Which Team Has Never Won IPL Trophy / Final?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the biggest stage for T20 cricket, producing some of the most thrilling encounters over the years. While teams like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have dominated the IPL, winning the title five times each, there are still some franchises that have never lifted the coveted IPL trophy despite their best efforts.
Even though these teams have played some extraordinary cricket, they have fallen short in crucial moments. Here, we analyze which teams have never won an IPL season, why they haven’t won yet, and what factors have contributed to their title drought.
Teams That Have Never Won an IPL Title
| Team | Finals Played | Best Performance | Seasons Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | 3 (2009, 2011, 2016) | Runners-up | Since 2008 |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 1 (2014) | Runners-up | Since 2008 |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | 1 (2020) | Runners-up | Since 2008 |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 0 | Eliminator (2022, 2023) | Since 2022 |
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – The Unluckiest Team?
RCB is one of the most popular teams in IPL history, boasting a massive fan following and having some of the biggest names in cricket like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Glenn Maxwell. Despite their star-studded line-ups, RCB has never won an IPL title, making them one of the most talked-about teams without a trophy.
RCB’s Final Appearances & Close Calls
- 2009 Final – Lost to Deccan Chargers by 6 runs under Anil Kumble’s captaincy.
- 2011 Final – Lost to CSK by 58 runs, facing the best IPL team at the time led by MS Dhoni.
- 2016 Final – Lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 8 runs, despite Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 973-run season.
Why RCB Has Never Won an IPL Title?
❌ Weak Bowling Attack – Over the years, RCB’s bowling has lacked quality, especially in death overs.
❌ Over-Reliance on Star Batters – The team has heavily depended on 2-3 key players, like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle.
❌ Lack of Quality All-Rounders – Unlike CSK and MI, RCB has never had a balanced squad, often lacking match-winning all-rounders.
❌ Struggles in Knockout Matches – Even after strong league-stage performances, RCB has often failed in high-pressure games.
Despite these shortcomings, RCB’s fanbase remains loyal, and every season, the “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This time, the cup is ours) chant echoes through the stadiums.
Highest Run Scores in an IPL Final
2. Punjab Kings (PBKS) – The One-Time Finalists
Punjab Kings, formerly known as Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), is another team that has struggled to convert strong performances into an IPL title win. They came closest in 2014, when they topped the league stage and reached the final under George Bailey’s captaincy.
PBKS’ Best Season – IPL 2014
- Finished at No.1 on the points table.
- Played the final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
- Lost a thrilling final, despite Wriddhiman Saha’s 115 off 55 balls*.
Why PBKS Has Never Won an IPL Title?
❌ Captaincy Issues – PBKS has struggled to find a strong leader who could guide them consistently.
❌ Frequent Team Changes – PBKS has made too many changes to their squad, lacking stability.
❌ Weak Middle Order – The team has often lacked finishers who can control games in pressure situations.
❌ Lack of a Strike Bowler – PBKS has never had a consistent wicket-taking bowler in their ranks.
Punjab Kings have failed to make an impact post-2014, and unless they fix their team stability, winning an IPL title remains a distant dream.1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – The Unluckiest Team?
RCB is one of the most popular teams in IPL history, boasting a massive fan following and having some of the biggest names in cricket like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Glenn Maxwell. Despite their star-studded line-ups, RCB has never won an IPL title, making them one of the most talked-about teams without a trophy.
RCB’s Final Appearances & Close Calls
- 2009 Final – Lost to Deccan Chargers by 6 runs under Anil Kumble’s captaincy.
- 2011 Final – Lost to CSK by 58 runs, facing the best IPL team at the time led by MS Dhoni.
- 2016 Final – Lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 8 runs, despite Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 973-run season.
Why RCB Has Never Won an IPL Title?
❌ Weak Bowling Attack – Over the years, RCB’s bowling has lacked quality, especially in death overs.
❌ Over-Reliance on Star Batters – The team has heavily depended on 2-3 key players, like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle.
❌ Lack of Quality All-Rounders – Unlike CSK and MI, RCB has never had a balanced squad, often lacking match-winning all-rounders.
❌ Struggles in Knockout Matches – Even after strong league-stage performances, RCB has often failed in high-pressure games.
Despite these shortcomings, RCB’s fanbase remains loyal, and every season, the “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This time, the cup is ours) chant echoes through the stadiums.
3. Delhi Capitals (DC) – A Team That Came Close in 2020
Previously known as Delhi Daredevils, Delhi Capitals (DC) have had an up-and-down journey in IPL history. Despite having great players over the years like Virender Sehwag, David Warner, Rishabh Pant, Kagiso Rabada, and Shikhar Dhawan, they struggled to make deep runs in the tournament until IPL 2020.
DC’s Best Season – IPL 2020
- Reached their first-ever final under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy.
- Lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) by 5 wickets.
Why DC Has Never Won an IPL Title?
❌ Inconsistent Opening Pairs – DC has struggled to find a solid top-order who can give them a strong start.
❌ Weak Death Bowling – Despite having good pacers, their death bowling has been a problem in crunch matches.
❌ Captaincy Instability – DC has had frequent captain changes, affecting their overall team strategy.
❌ Lack of Experience in Finals – Being new to the IPL final stage, they struggled under pressure in 2020.
Despite these challenges, DC remains a strong team with young talent, and they could win their first title in upcoming seasons.
4. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – A Promising New Team
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) joined IPL in 2022, and in both seasons they played (2022 & 2023), they qualified for the playoffs. Even though they haven’t won a title yet, they have shown promise and could be serious contenders in the future.
Why LSG Hasn’t Won an IPL Title Yet?
❌ Weak Middle Order – Heavily reliant on KL Rahul & Quinton de Kock at the top.
❌ Lack of Good Finishers – They have struggled to close matches in pressure situations.
❌ Weak Spin Attack – They rely mostly on Ravi Bishnoi, with no solid second spinner.
Since LSG is still a young franchise, they are not under pressure yet, but the expectation to win an IPL title will only grow in the coming seasons.
Other Teams That Never Won IPL (Guest Teams)
Apart from these active teams, there were four short-term IPL teams that never won a title:
1️⃣ Pune Warriors India (2011-2013)
2️⃣ Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011 only)
3️⃣ Rising Pune Supergiant (2016-2017) – Lost the 2017 final to MI by just 1 run.
4️⃣ Gujarat Lions (2016-2017)
Most Successful Teams in IPL History
| Team | Titles Won | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 5 | 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 5 | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 2 | 2012, 2014 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 1 | 2016 |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 1 | 2008 |
Final Thoughts
While RCB, PBKS, DC, and LSG are still searching for their first IPL title, the competition in IPL is getting tougher every season. With better strategies, stronger squads, and improved leadership, these teams have the potential to break their trophy drought soon.
Which team do you think will win their first IPL title next? 🏆🔥
Rivcky John
A prominent figure in sports journalism for the last two decades. Cricket Analyst & Writing News, Features, Match Previews/Reviews/Reports, And Opinion Pieces on Cricket. You can connect with him on Facebook also.