From momentum to medals, these teams showed that winning Qualifier 1 can often be the first step to lifting the IPL trophy
In the high-stakes theatre of the Indian Premier League, winning Qualifier 1 isn’t just about making the final — it’s often a statement. Over the years, several champion teams have bulldozed their way from the first playoff hurdle to the ultimate prize. These journeys weren’t just filled with big names or lucky breaks. They were tales of grit, comebacks, and one-sided dominance. Let’s rewind the clock to relive the most thrilling Qualifier 1 triumphs that transformed into glorious final wins.
The 2011 season belonged to Chennai Super Kings. First, they conquered Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 1 with a masterclass in composure. Suresh Raina’s unbeaten 73 helped chase down 176 with just two balls left. Albie Morkel added the final touches. When the two sides met again in the final, CSK were ruthless. Murali Vijay exploded with a 95-run blitz as CSK posted 205. RCB crumbled under pressure, and the yellow brigade lifted their second IPL title in as many years.
After defeating Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders broke into their first final in 2012. Yusuf Pathan’s late surge gave them a defendable score, and Kallis-Narine spun a web around Delhi’s batting. Manvinder Bisla stole the spotlight with a fiery 89 in the title clash. KKR chased 191 and claimed their first trophy.
Two years later, they repeated the script. Robin Uthappa and Umesh Yadav powered them past Kings XI Punjab in Qualifier 1. In the final, Wriddhiman Saha’s ton threatened to derail KKR. But Manish Pandey’s sensational 94 turned the tide. KKR crossed 200 and walked away with their second crown.
Backed by a roaring home crowd, Mumbai Indians took down Chennai in the 2015 Qualifier. Pollard’s fireworks lit up Wankhede, and Harbhajan did the damage with the ball. Come final time, MI were even more dominant. Simmons and Rohit laid the foundation, and the bowling unit choked CSK. The 41-run win crowned MI with their second title.
After a two-year suspension, CSK returned in style. Faf du Plessis scripted a last-over win in Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, anchoring a tense chase. Then came Shane Watson in the final — a man on fire. His unbeaten 117 off 57 balls left SRH stunned as CSK sealed their third title. From silence to celebration, the comeback was complete.
Mumbai Indians mastered the art of timing. In 2019, Suryakumar Yadav’s calm 71 helped them past CSK in Qualifier 1. The final was a nerve-wracker. Malinga’s last-over heroics secured a 1-run win in a match that could’ve gone either way. In 2020, they upped their dominance. Kishan and Hardik’s power-hitting and Bumrah’s 4/14 knocked Delhi Capitals out in Qualifier 1. The final saw MI clinically chase down 157; with that, a fifth title was theirs.
The IPL debutants were fearless. In Qualifier 1, David Miller’s late assault floored Rajasthan Royals. His unbeaten 68 showed nerves of steel. The final was smoother. Hardik Pandya led from the front — bat and ball — as GT restricted Rajasthan and cruised to victory—a fairy-tale ending for the league’s newest giants.
Chennai once again rose to the big stage in 2023. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s composed 60 helped set a winning total in Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans. After rain shortened the chase, Conway and Dube stepped up in the final. But Ravindra Jadeja played the finisher, hitting the last two balls for four and six. A last-ball win and a fifth title capped off CSK’s magical run.
Kolkata Knight Riders were a juggernaut in 2024. They thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1, with Starc’s fiery spell and Shreyas Iyer’s calm knock setting the tone. The final was even more dominant. SRH collapsed early, and Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive 52* sealed the chase in just 13.4 overs. KKR’s third title was not just a win but a statement.
