Winning Qualifier 1 is supposed to give you the edge — but for these IPL teams, it only set the stage for heartbreak on the biggest night
The IPL playoffs can be unforgiving. Teams that dominate Qualifier 1 often seem destined for glory—only to stumble at the final hurdle. History is littered with heartbreaks where momentum didn't guarantee silverware. Let's revisit three dramatic seasons—2013, 2016, and 2017—where the favourites in Qualifier 1 couldn't convert their advantage into a title win.
Rising Pune Supergiant delivered a disciplined show to topple Mumbai Indians by 20 runs and storm into the 2017 IPL final. Ajinkya Rahane's patient 56 and Manoj Tiwary's crafty 58 laid the foundation on a sluggish Wankhede track. But MS Dhoni brought late flair, slamming 26 runs off just eight balls to remain unbeaten on 40. Defending 162, Pune turned to 17-year-old Washington Sundar, who stunned Mumbai with figures of 3 for 16. The spin choke worked brilliantly, aided by Unadkat and Thakur, Pune held Mumbai to 142/9, sealing a dominant win.
The IPL 2017 final in Hyderabad saw the drama of the highest order as Mumbai Indians edged Rising Pune Supergiant by just one run to clinch their third title. Sent into bat, Mumbai crumbled early, reduced to 79/7 before Krunal Pandya's defiant 47 lifted them to 129/8—the lowest total ever defended in an IPL final. Pune, in reply, paced their chase cautiously through Rahane and Steven Smith. But crucial wickets from Bumrah and Johnson derailed their effort. Christian was run out with four needed off the final ball, going for a desperate third. Mumbai triumphed in a true nail-biter.
RCB's Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Lions in 2016 was AB de Villiers at his finest. Chasing 159, RCB looked doomed at 29/5, with Dhawal Kulkarni's fiery spell (4-14) rocking their top order. But de Villiers played a gem, finishing with an unbeaten 79 off 47 balls. He found support in Iqbal Abdulla, who chipped in with a calm 33*. Together, they stitched an unbeaten 91-run stand that saw RCB home with 10 balls to spare. AB's calculated aggression and match awareness turned the tide, again underlining why he's one of the most complete IPL players.
Sunrisers Hyderabad lifted their maiden IPL trophy in 2016 with a dramatic 8-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy. Batting first, skipper David Warner led from the front with a 38-ball 69, and Ben Cutting's brutal 39* off just 15 deliveries powered them to 208/7. RCB's chase began with fireworks—Gayle and Kohli adding 114 in under 11 overs. But SRH clawed back after Gayle's dismissal. Cutting took out Gayle and Rahul, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's death-over brilliance, mainly the 18th, sealed the win. Cutting's all-around show earned him Player of the Match in a pulsating finale.
Chennai Super Kings stamped their authority in IPL 2013 with a 48-run victory over Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1. Michael Hussey (86*) and Suresh Raina (82*) put on a record unbeaten 140-run stand as CSK posted a mammoth 192/1. Dwayne Smith gave Mumbai a flying start, hammering 68 off 28 balls, but Ravindra Jadeja turned the game around with three crucial wickets. Bravo joined the party with 3/9, triggering a collapse that ended at 144. Despite off-field controversies, CSK kept their focus and proved why they're IPL's most consistent side. Mumbai, meanwhile, were forced into a do-or-die Qualifier 2.
In the 2013 IPL final, Kieron Pollard's blistering 60* off 32 balls helped Mumbai Indians secure their first title with a 23-run win over CSK at Eden Gardens. Struggling at 52/4, Pollard's calm and calculated counterattack pushed Mumbai to a defendable 148/9. CSK's reply began disastrously as Malinga and Johnson ripped through the top order, reducing them to 36/5. Despite a fighting 63* from MS Dhoni, wickets tumbled around him. Mumbai's bowling, backed by Harbhajan Singh's spin and sharp fielding, delivered a knockout blow. That night marked Mumbai's arrival as a true IPL heavyweight and ended CSK's dominance.
