The city of Bengaluru was painted in red and black after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their 18-year jinx and lifted their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The celebrations were meant to be euphoric — and they were — but they were tragically marred by a stampede that claimed 11 lives and left over 50 injured near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. A moment of historic sporting success turned into one of mourning.
Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar, who has been a voice of reason and emotion in Indian cricket, offered a heartfelt reflection on the incident. In his column for Mid Day, Gavaskar expressed his sorrow and drew attention to the powerful emotional current that runs through sports fandom — especially for a franchise like RCB.
Gavaskar’s Sorrow and Understanding
“What a tragedy?” Gavaskar began. “The loss of lives due to a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium is heartbreaking indeed.”
His words echoed what millions across the country felt. The lives lost were of people who only wanted to catch a glimpse of their heroes — the team that finally brought home the coveted IPL trophy. These weren’t just cricket fans; they were individuals who had poured their hearts into RCB for nearly two decades.
“All that those people wanted was a glimpse of the players who had given them so much joy and happiness over the years, especially in the last two months,” Gavaskar wrote. “The IPL Trophy, which they kept hoping would be theirs every year but never did, was finally coming to them after a wait of 18 years."
The Power of a Long Wait
RCB’s wait for a title wasn’t just long — it was emotionally exhausting. Gavaskar pointed out that had the team won a trophy in the initial years, the celebrations would likely have been more measured. But after nearly two decades of heartbreak and loyal support, the win meant far more to the people of Bengaluru and RCB fans across the globe.
“If RCB had won the Trophy in the first few years, there would not have been this outpouring of emotion,” he observed. “Other teams have won but their celebrations have been a lot less frenetic, maybe because their fans didn’t have to wait this long.”
The slogan “Ee Saala Cup Namde” (This year, the cup is ours) had become a meme, a mantra, and a burden. This season, with less pressure and less hype, RCB quietly and spectacularly rewrote their destiny.
Unprecedented Away Record, Unprecedented Support
Sunil Gavaskar also praised RCB’s stellar performance on the road — an often underrated aspect of their 2025 campaign. They won every single away match this season, setting a new IPL record.
“They won every single game they played away, which is a new record in the IPL. No wonder the home fans wanted to give them a special ovation,” Gavaskar noted.
It wasn’t just about the cricket. It was about identity, redemption, and years of loyalty finally rewarded. For many, the celebration was more than just a party — it was a catharsis.
A Moment Lost to Chaos
But that joy turned to grief in a matter of moments. The stampede wasn’t just a result of over-enthusiasm; it was also a stark reminder of the need for better planning and crowd management. With such a massive celebration scheduled just a day after the final, the city administration and security forces were ill-equipped to manage the swelling crowd that gathered to salute their champions.
Criticism has been directed at RCB and the local authorities for not postponing the celebration or taking adequate precautions. But Gavaskar, while acknowledging the tragedy, also chose to humanize the emotion that led to it.
“It was totally understandable for their joy to know no bounds and they wanted to show it to their heroes. Maybe even see them up close, maybe even touch them, maybe even get a quick photo with them. Haven’t we all been fans of someone before and perhaps still are?”
This comment strikes a deep chord. We all understand that pull — the need to witness greatness up close, to be part of a historic moment. But unfortunately, it came at a terrible cost.
Condolences and Action
In response, RCB announced ₹10 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased — a gesture of goodwill, though no amount can truly ease the pain of such loss.
Gavaskar ended his thoughts with a prayer: “Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Prayers of the fans can change fortunes, and there’s no doubt that the prayers of their loved ones made a contribution to bringing that elusive Cup to Bengaluru.”
Final Thoughts: A City Torn Between Elation and Mourning
This year’s IPL final was supposed to close a chapter for RCB — one filled with unmet expectations, loyal fans, and dazzling cricket. While that chapter did end in triumph, it was also overshadowed by the tragic loss of life.
As we celebrate the resilience and spirit of RCB fans, we must also pause to remember those who paid the ultimate price just for a chance to be part of history.
The celebration will be remembered. But so will the cost.
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