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.
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.
