Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans celebrated on social media as the team qualified for the IPL 2025 playoffs. After Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by 10 wickets on Sunday, May 18, in Delhi, the development was verified.
RCB is now ranked second in the points chart after securing eight victories in 12 games thus far. They have 17 points after their most recent game ended in a washout. In a same vein, with 17 points, the third-place Punjab Kings advanced to the playoffs.
The last spot is now down to Mumbai Indians (14 points) and Delhi Capitals (13 points). This time, the two sides are clashing in Mumbai on May 21st and whoever loses this game will miss out on the playoffs.
RCB have made it to the playoffs four times in the last five years. From 2020 to 2022, the team was in the top four, but it was out early in the league stage last year.
It’s important to remember that they defeated the Chennai Super Kings in an exciting match on May 18 of last year, which is also when they qualified this year. RCB’s association with the day was mentioned by fans, one of whom posted on X (previously Twitter):
Playoffs: Secured ✅
Belief: Unshaken 💪
Eyes: On the Prize 🏆@RCBTweets storm into the Playoffs with fire and focus 🔥#TATAIPL | #DCvGT pic.twitter.com/R3YKviNSjX
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2025“Declare 18th May as the national day of RCB”
Check out the other reactions:
Declare 18th may as the national day of RCB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) May 18, 2025RCB qualified for the playoffs with 2 games still to go. Finally a calculator-free season pic.twitter.com/d3gXXNqZyT
— Abhyudaya Mohan (@AbhyudayaMohan) May 18, 2025RCB qualified for playoffs this year but qualification last year on 18th May was something else pic.twitter.com/bjZvnztgI2
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) May 18, 2025“Qualifying in 5 out of 6 seasons is no joke. As I’ve always said, barring that dreadful 2017-19 stretch, RCB have actually been a pretty consistent side. Also, a big thank you to @CoachHesson for kickstarting the revival,” a user posted.
“11:11 – RCB has qualified for the playoffs in the last 5 out of 6 IPL seasons, but they have missed out on top-2 in the last 4 occasions. Please god, be on our side, this time for top-2. 🧿🙏” a fan tweeted.
“Qualifying for playoffs was already on the cards, what matters is finishing in Top 2 & I hope, & pray #RCB wins the remaining 2 games to avoid playing Eliminator,” another wrote.
RCB’s Road to Playoffs: Key Factors Behind Their IPL 2025 Turnaround
Prior to the 2025 IPL season, RCB was already positioned as a formidable team thanks to a sound auction plan and the acquisition of the appropriate players. The middle-order and bowling unit gaps were successfully filled by the team management.
One of the team’s biggest advantages was the availability of seasoned pace bowlers such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. Together, they achieved steady breakthroughs and wreaked havoc on the surface.
In the meantime, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, the opening duo, consistently gave the team explosive beginnings. Tim David and Jitesh Sharma, the middle-order batsmen, make sure the team never falters in the slog overs and puts up a solid total.
Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya were able to deceive the opposition in the spin department by using their lengths and variations.
