Only Once In IPL History! MI & GT Fear Repeat Of Rare Eliminator Record

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have already booked their spot in the IPL 2025 Final. Now, all eyes are on the high-stakes Eliminator clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI), set to take place today at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.

However, a historic stat is adding to the pressure - and it doesn't favor either team.

Only One Eliminator Team Has Ever Won the IPL Trophy

Since the inception of the Indian Premier League, only once has a team starting its playoff journey from the Eliminator stage gone on to win the IPL title. That lone success came in 2016, when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) scripted history.

SRH's Iconic 2016 Run

In the 2016 season, SRH defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Eliminator, then overcame Gujarat Lions in Qualifier 2. In the final, they beat RCB by 8 runs to clinch their maiden IPL title under the leadership of David Warner. Since then, no team starting from the Eliminator has managed to lift the trophy - a streak both GT and MI will be hoping to break.

Why This Adds Pressure on GT and MI

Both Mumbai and Gujarat now find themselves in a similar position to SRH in 2016. But with this record looming large, the psychological pressure of history could weigh heavily. No team since SRH has repeated the feat of winning three straight knockout matches to become champions.

How the IPL Playoffs Work

Qualifier 1: Played between the top two teams; the winner advances directly to the final.

Eliminator: Played between the 3rd and 4th ranked teams.

The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2, which decides the second finalist.

With RCB waiting in the final, tonight's result will decide who keeps their title hopes alive - and who falls victim to a rare but daunting IPL trend.

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