The stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned this moment of happiness into sorrow.

Royal Challengers Bangalore won the title for the first time by defeating Punjab Kings in the final of IPL 2025. When RCB won the trophy after a long wait of 18 years, the fans could not control their emotions. They celebrated wildly. The franchise also decided to take out a victory parade in Bangalore.

However, the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned this moment of joy into sorrow. 11 people died and more than 50 were injured in this tragic accident. In the case, the police registered an FIR against KSCA, RCB and event management company DNA and also made some arrests.

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has given a surprised reaction to the stampede during RCB’s celebration. He said that the celebrations of other teams have been less frenzied.

If RCB had won the trophy in the first few years, then…

Gavaskar wrote in his Mid-Day column, ‘If RCB had won the trophy in the first few years, there would not have been so much emotion after a long wait of 18 years. Other teams have won, but they did not celebrate so frenziedly, probably because their fans did not have to wait so long. The slogan ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’ seemed like a big stone around the team’s neck. But this year, the team played brilliant cricket.’

He further said, ‘RCB won every single match they played outside, this is a new record in IPL. No wonder the home fans wanted to cheer them in a special way. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the stampede. Fans’ prayers can change fate and there is no doubt that the prayers of their loved ones contributed to bringing that cup to Bangalore.’

Gavaskar further wrote, ‘What a tragedy is this? The death of people due to the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium is heartbreaking. They just wanted to get a glimpse of the players who had given them so much joy over the years, especially in the last two months. The trophy they hoped to win every year but never did. And finally it came to them after a wait of 18 years.