Tragedy at RCB’s IPL 2025 Celebration: Sunil Gavaskar Mourns Stampede Victims
In a somber turn of events, the jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) long-awaited IPL 2025 title win was marred by a devastating stampede outside Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. The tragic incident claimed 11 lives and left over 30 fans injured, turning a moment of triumph into a heartbreaking catastrophe for the franchise and its passionate supporters.
Cricketing legend and former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar penned a moving tribute to the victims in his column for Mid-Day, describing the incident as “heartbreaking”. Offering his “deepest condolences” to the families of those who lost their loved ones, Gavaskar reflected on the unparalleled emotional investment of RCB fans, who have endured 18 years of near-misses and heartbreak since the franchise’s inception in 2008.
“If RCB had clinched the IPL Trophy in the initial years, perhaps the outpouring of emotions wouldn’t have been this intense after such a prolonged wait,” Gavaskar wrote. He juxtaposed RCB’s fanbase with those of other IPL teams, noting, “Other franchises have celebrated victories, but their festivities have been far less frenzied, possibly because their supporters didn’t endure such a long drought.”
Gavaskar also highlighted the irony surrounding RCB’s popular slogan, “Ee Saala Cup Namde” (This year, the cup is ours), which had become a symbol of hope yet a burden over the years. Interestingly, in IPL 2025, when the chant took a backseat, RCB delivered exceptional cricket, setting a new league record by winning all their away matches en route to the title—a feat unmatched in IPL history with an impressive 8-0 away record.
Speaking with deep empathy, the 75-year-old icon captured the essence of the fans’ devotion: “All those who gathered outside the stadium wanted was a fleeting glimpse of the players who had brought them so much joy. Their boundless elation was completely understandable.” He further connected on a personal note, reminding readers of the universal appeal of fandom: “Haven’t we all been fans at some point, yearning to see our heroes, maybe even touch them or snap a quick photo?”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for enhanced crowd management and safety protocols during such high-energy public events. With RCB boasting one of the largest and most loyal fanbases in the IPL—evident from their record-breaking social media following of over 15 million on Instagram—the responsibility to ensure safety during celebrations becomes paramount.
As the cricketing world mourns alongside Bengaluru, Gavaskar’s words echo a poignant truth: while victory unites, tragedy humbles. The legacy of RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph will forever be intertwined with this somber memory, urging stakeholders to prioritize safety over celebration in the future.