Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket, Mo Bobat, has described the June stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as a “deeply tragic chapter” that will forever remain a part of the franchise’s heritage. The incident, which claimed 11 lives—mostly young fans—occurred during RCB’s victory parade celebrations after their maiden IPL title.
Bobat, in a candid conversation with Cricbuzz, admitted that the loss was particularly heartbreaking because it involved the very supporters who had waited nearly two decades to see their team lift the trophy.
“Cricket and the IPL are built on passion and joy. Throughout the season, we said we wanted to win it for our fans. Some of us are new, but these fans have been waiting for 18 years. For some of them to have lost their lives feels incredibly sad. Their stories now become part of our history, our heritage. We must honour them and their families,” he said.
ALSO READ: Team India Could Play Asia Cup 2025 Without Title Sponsor On Jerseys
Both RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) faced heavy criticism, with government findings pointing to poor crowd management. Several officials were arrested, and cases remain under trial.
The franchise and the state government had initially announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each victim’s family, a figure many deemed inadequate compared to RCB’s reported ₹514 crore revenue for the 2024-25 season. The larger concern now is the future of cricket at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Following the tragedy, a state-appointed committee has declared the venue unfit for large gatherings. This decision has already forced multiple matches—including domestic tournaments like the Maharaja T20, Maharani T20, and fixtures from the 2025 Women’s World Cup—to be shifted elsewhere.
ALSO READ: Rinku Singh’s Love Story with Priya Saroj Started With Comment On Social Media Images
With IPL 2026 on the horizon, uncertainty looms over whether the stadium will host any matches at all. For RCB, the challenge is not just about defending their title but also about healing wounds, restoring faith, and ensuring that the memory of those lost fans remains at the heart of the franchise’s journey.
