Bengaluru stampede: 'Sad day for cricket' - Cricket world mourns tragedy during RCB's IPL victory celebrations

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jun 05, 2025, 13:01 IST

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A celebratory homecoming for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory turned tragic as a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in 11 fatalities and over 30 injuries. Overwhelmed by the massive crowd, security measures failed, leading to chaos. Cricket icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble expressed grief, highlighting the need for improved safety during public events.

RCB Victory Parade: At least 8 Dead, Several Injured In Stampede Outside Bengaluru Stadium

Fans near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo)

What was meant to be a historic celebration turned into a day of mourning as a stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday claimed 11 lives and injured over 30 others. The tragedy unfolded during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) homecoming celebration after their maiden IPL title win, ending an 18-year wait with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the final on Tuesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!As thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their heroes, the sheer volume overwhelmed security arrangements, triggering chaos and ultimately, tragedy.Cricketing legends and current players expressed their shock and grief over the incident.

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India’s batting icon Sachin Tendulkar took to X, writing, “What happened at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, is beyond tragic. My heart goes out to every affected family. Wishing peace and strength to all.”

Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble also shared his condolences: “It’s a sad day for cricket! My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives while celebrating RCB’s victory today. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. Tragic!!”

Other cricketers including Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Yuvraj Singh among others also shared their thoughts on the tragedy.

Police resorted to mild force to control the situation, but the sheer number of people overwhelmed efforts. What began as jubilation for RCB's long-awaited title turned into an unforgettable heartbreak for the city and its cricketing faithful.The incident has sparked calls for better crowd control and safety measures during public celebrations.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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