RCB’s win, but Bengaluru’s loss: When the bat ended up battering lives

Bengaluru: What was supposed to be a day of pure joy for Bengaluru turned into one of its darkest in recent memory.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the city’s beloved IPL team, had finally lifted the coveted trophy after 18 long years, igniting a wave of euphoric celebration.

But as lakhs poured onto the streets to cheer their heroes, tragedy struck — a stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium left at least 11 dead and dozens injured, casting a haunting shadow over the city’s moment of triumph.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organized a felicitation event at the stadium, following a victory parade plan from Vidhana Soudha.

However, what followed was a devastating chain of miscommunication, under-preparedness, and a crushing crowd surge that claimed innocent lives.

A dream derailed

On Wednesday morning, the mood in Bengaluru was electric. RCB’s win had united fans across generations, and the announcement of a felicitation ceremony drew crowds from across the state.

By 3 pm, over 50,000 people had converged near the stadium. Simultaneously, lakhs had gathered around Vidhana Soudha, hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

But behind the scenes, there was growing confusion. The open-bus parade was cancelled by late morning, a change many in the crowd remained unaware of.

Despite police alerts, people continued to swell into Cubbon Park Road, near the stadium gates.

Gate 3, meant for controlled entry, partially opened around 4 pm — and in that split second, the crush began.

“In seconds, people began falling,” said Inayath, an eyewitness from Lingarajapuram.

“There was no warning, no coordination. I saw bodies on the ground, people gasping for breath.”

Another witness, Mahesh, recounted how he and others formed a human chain to protect the fallen. “We tried to help as many as we could. A woman was unconscious; someone was giving her CPR. It was chaos.”

Lost in celebration

Most of the victims were young — college students, daily workers, and RCB fans who had saved for weeks to make it to the city that day. They had come with dreams in their eyes and ended up as names on a casualty list.

Among them was 19-year-old Akash from Tumakuru, who had travelled overnight with friends to see his idol Virat Kohli.

His friends say he was lost in the surge and never found again — until his body was identified hours later at Bowring Hospital.

Another was Reema, a 22-year-old nurse from Shivajinagar, who fainted in the crowd and was trampled before help arrived.

Police and emergency services tried to manage the unprecedented crowd.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar later admitted, “This is a young, vibrant crowd. We couldn’t use force on them. We deployed over 5,000 personnel, but it was still not enough. I apologise for the overcrowding.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too acknowledged the lack of preparation. “The stadium can hold 35,000, but a very large number of people gathered. Neither KSCA nor the government expected this kind of turnout. We underestimated the emotional wave this win would bring.”

Anger and accountability

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi strongly criticised the Karnataka government, calling the tragedy a result of “poor planning and mismanagement.” “This celebration was turned into a funeral. The government must take responsibility and fix accountability,” he said on X.

Even as political blame games unfolded, grief hung heavy over the city. KSCA officials said the event was planned in collaboration with state authorities, but confusion over free passes and changing logistics fuelled the chaos.

Officials investigating the incident revealed that the crowd included both those with tickets and thousands more who believed they could enter or at least witness the team’s parade.

When they saw the closed bus arrive instead of an open one, and the gate partially open, panic took over.

A city in mourning

The government has announced ₹10 lakh compensation to the families of those who died. Hospitals across the city are treating 47 injured, several of them in critical condition.

The IPL trophy, once a symbol of long-awaited glory for Bengaluru, now sits in silence under a cloud of mourning.

At a candlelight vigil held outside the stadium late Wednesday night, fans gathered — not to chant slogans or cheer, but to light a flame for those who never made it home. Some held jerseys. Others, placards stating: “Victory should not cost lives.”

The RCB management in a released statement said: “We are devastated by the tragic events in Bengaluru. Cricket unites us, and today, we stand united in grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”

A victory marred by loss

Bengaluru will never forget this day. A moment that was 18 years in the making, one that should have brought only joy, instead brought heartbreak. As the city grieves, one question echoes across its streets: Was this tragedy preventable?

Because, amid the confetti and celebrations, 11 dreams were silenced. And that is a price no trophy is ever worth.