RCB Call Fans Who Died in Stampede ‘Part of Our History’ After Historic IPL Win
RCB call stampede victims “part of our history” after first IPL win. Read what the franchise finally said about the tragic night in Bengaluru.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy this year, defeating Punjab Kings in the 2025 final.
But what should have been an untainted celebration of 18 years of waiting quickly turned tragic after the homecoming event at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a stampede left multiple fans injured and several dead.
For weeks, the franchise faced criticism for staying relatively silent. Now, RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat has addressed the incident, admitting that the victory will always carry a painful shadow.
“Cricket and the IPL is about passion and enjoyment, and our biggest motivators are our fans. We wanted to win it for them. But for some of them to lose their lives just feels incredibly sad,” Bobat told Cricbuzz.
He stressed that the memories of those who died are inseparable from the team’s legacy.
“They’ve been the patient ones. These fans waited 18 years. Their stories become a part of our history now. We look forward to being able to recognise those people and their families.”
The stampede, which occurred around the gates of the Chinnaswamy, has left the RCB fanbase and city of Bengaluru shaken. Bobat admitted there is no immediate way to heal such wounds, but said it will forever remain part of the team’s identity.
“Every sports team has a history and heritage. What they’ve experienced becomes a part of our heritage too. We have to honour them,” he added.
The IPL 2025 title may have ended RCB’s long wait, but the tragedy that followed has ensured the victory will always be remembered with grief alongside glory.
