Published: Jun 04, 2025, 09:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 04, 2025, 09:35 PM (IST)
After 18 years of unwavering hope, endless heartbreaks, and unmatched loyalty, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy. For the franchise, the players, and most importantly the fans, it was more than just a title it was a journey filled with dreams, passion, and patience.
As the final ball was bowled and RCB sealed their historic win against Punjab Kings, emotions overflowed. The image of Virat Kohli emotional and teary-eyed was symbolic of the years of dedication, struggle, and love he poured into the team. His teammates, including Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar, echoed the sentiments of millions when they said this victory was for him.
To mark the occasion, RCB announced a grand open-bus victory parade in Bengaluru, an event meant to celebrate not just the team’s triumph but also the unwavering support of their fans. “The trophy belongs to the fans as much as it does to the players,” said Virat Kohli in a heartfelt message.
The day began on a joyous note. The team was warmly received at the Bengaluru airport by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and later felicitated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha in a traditional Kannada ceremony. The mood was festive. The city was ready to honour its champions.
But what was supposed to be a celebration of joy soon turned into a moment of grief.
As thousands of fans gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to catch a glimpse of their heroes, chaos unfolded. The crowd became unmanageable, and a stampede-like situation developed. According to PTI reports, four people tragically lost their lives, and several others were injured.
What should have been a moment of shared joy between the team and its fans became a haunting tragedy.
Despite the heartbreaking news, the celebrations inside the stadium continued. The team completed a victory lap and addressed the cheering crowd, but the parade was eventually called off by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. While the decision was right, it came too late for many.
The RCB management faced massive backlash on social media. Fans and observers questioned why the celebrations were not paused or postponed in light of the tragedy. Many pointed out that the entire event felt rushed, with little thought given to crowd control or safety.
Yes, the trophy drought was over. Yes, the team and the city had every right to celebrate. But the planning could have been better. A short delay perhaps a few days would not have dulled the joy. It would have allowed emotions to settle and ensured that fans could celebrate safely and wholeheartedly. Even if a few foreign players had to leave for national duties, the core celebration could have waited.
In a moment that should have bought the city in joy, tragedy struck and it will forever be a part of this historic win’s memory.
RCB will always remember this victory. It will be a milestone in the history of the franchise. But every time they look back at the 2025 triumph, the memories will be bittersweet joy tinged with sorrow. The fans who lost their lives were part of the soul of this journey. They deserved to be there, to smile through the tears, to hold their heads high and say, “We finally did it.”
And now, in their honour, RCB must do better. Let this be a reminder that in the midst of glory, there must also be grace and responsibility.
