What was meant to be a historic celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title turned into a heartbreaking tragedy, casting a shadow over the franchise’s long-awaited triumph. Months after the devastating Bengaluru stampede on June 4, 2025, RCB batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik has spoken publicly for the first time, sharing the emotional toll the incident left on the players.

The tragedy unfolded when an estimated three lakh fans gathered in Bengaluru to celebrate RCB’s historic IPL trophy win. Overcrowding and a lack of effective crowd control led to chaos, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to over 50 others. Speaking at India Today’s South Conclave, Karthik recalled the confusion and grief that engulfed the team.

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“We were in Bangalore. We were told to attend an event, but when we arrived, we were sent back. I couldn’t even understand what had happened—it was beyond us,” he said. “When I heard that lives were lost, I wished I could change it. It completely silenced us as players.”

For Dinesh Karthik and his teammates, the celebrations they had dreamed of vanished instantly. “It is one of the saddest things I’ve seen. I can’t even imagine what those families are going through. I just hope we can repay them in some way,” he added.

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In response, RCB pledged ₹25 lakh each to the families of the deceased and launched RCB Cares, a long-term initiative aimed at supporting fans, known as the iconic “12th Man Army.” The programme promises not only financial assistance but also “swift, transparent, and compassionate” support for affected families, once all approvals are in place.

What should have been a moment of pure joy has instead become a poignant reminder of responsibility, fan safety, and the deep bond between RCB and its passionate supporters.