In the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory celebration at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has shared a heartfelt reflection. Writing in his column for Mid-Day, the former India captain described the incident as “heartbreaking,” acknowledging the emotional weight behind fans’ overwhelming desire to celebrate their team’s long-awaited success.
Eleven lives were lost and several others injured when a massive crowd surged outside the stadium gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved RCB stars. Gavaskar expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost, emphasising that the fans’ actions stemmed from pure devotion and uncontainable excitement after 18 years of unfulfilled hopes.
“All they wanted was a glimpse of their heroes,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote, underlining the emotional significance of the moment for RCB supporters. “The trophy they had been dreaming of for nearly two decades was finally theirs. Their joy knew no bounds, and they just wanted to show that to their heroes.”
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He further noted that, while people may look for someone to blame, pointing fingers would be of little help now. “There is no point blaming anyone. That’s futile as the lives can’t be brought back and some injuries may never heal properly, especially the mental ones,” he observed somberly.
Sunil Gavaskar also made a compelling point that such an overwhelming emotional reaction may have been avoided if RCB had won the title earlier in the IPL’s history.
“If RCB had lifted the trophy in the first few seasons, this outpouring of emotion wouldn’t have reached such levels. The long, 18-year wait only amplified the frenzy,” he wrote.
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Interestingly, Gavaskar reflected on how the team’s 2025 success came in a season where the famous slogan ‘Ee Saala Cup Namde’ wasn’t chanted as loudly. “This year, the team quietly went about their business, winning every away game—setting a new IPL record,” he noted. “It’s no surprise the home fans wanted to welcome them back with unmatched energy.”
Concluding his note, Gavaskar extended his condolences to the bereaved families and hoped for healing for the injured, emotionally and physically.
