Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) long and emotional wait for an IPL trophy finally ended on June 3 when they edged out Punjab Kings by six runs to clinch their maiden title. For a franchise that had endured 18 years of heartbreak, the victory meant the world not just to the players but also to their loyal “12th Man Army.” To mark the historic triumph, RCB planned a grand celebration at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
With stars like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar in attendance, thousands of fans gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of their heroes. However, the joy quickly turned into tragedy when a stampede broke out outside the venue. The horrific incident claimed the lives of 11 people and left around 50 others injured.
What should have been the happiest chapter in RCB’s history instead turned into one of its darkest. The franchise came under immense criticism for the mismanagement of the event, with FIRs and legal charges filed against the organisers. In the aftermath, RCB chose to remain silent on social media, a silence that lasted nearly three months.
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On August 28, the franchise finally broke its silence, unveiling an initiative called “RCB CARES.” Posting on X (formerly Twitter), RCB addressed their fanbase with a heartfelt letter. The message acknowledged the grief of June 4, describing their silence not as absence, but as a period of mourning, reflection, and learning. “RCB CARES,” the post explained, was born out of a need to heal, honour the victims, and rebuild trust with the community.
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The franchise emphasised that the platform would serve as a space for meaningful action, shaped by both fans and the team itself. Rather than celebrating, the focus would now be on care, compassion, and solidarity. Earlier in June, RCB had also announced compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the victims, a gesture to provide some support to those devastated by the tragedy.
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The stampede not only left families shattered but also dented the reputation of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following an official inquiry, the stadium was deemed unfit to host major events for the foreseeable future. As a result, the ICC confirmed that Mumbai would replace Bengaluru as one of the venues for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
For RCB, their first IPL title should have been a fairy tale ending. Instead, it became a bittersweet memory—one forever shadowed by grief, responsibility, and the need to rebuild trust with their supporters.
