A heartbreaking twist overshadowed the jubilant homecoming celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday, as a massive stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left many others injured. The tragedy occurred during a felicitation event organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Academy (KSCA) to honour the IPL 2025 champions, who had just ended an 18-year wait for their maiden title.
The festive atmosphere turned tragic as thousands of fans flooded the streets to welcome the victorious team, fresh off a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings in Tuesday night’s final. What began as a moment of collective pride soon spiraled into chaos, as the overwhelming crowd pushed forward in desperation, leading to suffocation and panic. Despite police efforts to manage the situation using batons, the surging mass proved unmanageable.
In the wake of the incident, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his grief on social media, extending his sympathies to the bereaved families. He noted that the catastrophe had `cast a shadow over the spirit of the game`
Heartbreaking news of a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and injuries to several cricket fans has cast a dark shadow over the spirit of the game that unites millions across our nation.
My deepest condolences go out…
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 4, 2025
Inside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, however, the planned celebrations continued, as RCB players took to the stage to address their supporters amid a backdrop of loud music and fireworks. Virat Kohli, who stood at the center of the spotlight after fulfilling a long-cherished dream, delivered an emotional message to the sea of fans in attendance.
“It`s for all of you – the fans, the people of this wonderful city, people who`ve supported RCB through thick and thin. I`ve never seen any fan base of any team in the world like this franchise,” he said.
Rajat Patidar, who captained RCB this season, echoed similar sentiments, praising the team`s loyal followers who stood by them through years of heartbreak.
“You all deserve the trophy. We all love you,” Patidar said, earning loud cheers from the packed stadium.
The tragic events outside drew unsettling parallels with the grand reception Mumbai hosted last year for the T20 World Cup-winning Indian team, a moment remembered for its joyous celebration rather than tragedy. In contrast, Bengaluru’s celebration ended in sorrow.
Although Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had given the green light for the much-anticipated open-top bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, the plan was abandoned at the last moment. The police were unable to control the surging crowd, forcing authorities to cancel the procession in the interest of public safety.
(With PTI inputs)
