Published: Jun 08, 2025, 11:08 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 08, 2025, 11:08 PM (IST)
Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar stated that the reaction by people after Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the Indian Premier League 2025 might not have been as intense, had the team had won the tournament in the early years of the tournament.
Speaking about the tragic stampede event that happened outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s victory celebration, Sunil Gavaskar expressed his deep sadness. For context, what was planned to be a festive celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru on the occasion of their historic first-ever IPL title victory, the horrific incident claimed 11 lives.
Sunil Gavaskar expressed his grief over the poor management that caused this tragedy, and recognized the strong feelings of the RCB supporters who had been waiting for a long while for their team’s first IPL title in 18 years. Gavaskar praised Royal Challengers Bengaluru for their performance this season, which finally led to the team’s victory.
“If RCB had won the Trophy in the first few years, there would not have been this outpouring of emotion as happened after the long wait of 18 years. Other teams have won but their celebrations have been a lot less frenetic maybe because their fans didn’t have to wait this long. The slogan ‘Ee saala cup naamde’ seemed to be like a millstone around the necks of the team. This year, when that slogan was barely heard, the team played some superb cricket, most of it away from their fans,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid Day.
As per Sunil Gavaskar, the massive crowd outside the stadium clearly showed the admiration of their supporters and their willingness to praise the team for their outstanding performance. He also acknowledged the grief that the impacted families had to feel, also offering his sympathy to all those who lost their loved ones.
“They won every single game they played away, which is a new record in the IPL. No wonder the home fans wanted to give them a special ovation. Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Prayers of the fans can change fortunes, and there’s no doubt that the prayers of their loved ones made a contribution to bringing that elusive Cup to Bengaluru,” Gavaskar added.
Sunil Gavaskar reststed the terrible tragedy of the stampede, but also shared his views about the love that RCB supporters have for the team. He said that people losing their lives was much more tragic because throughout the IPL, as the team’s performance had got everyone’s hopes up to see their team lift their maiden title.
“What a tragedy? The loss of lives due to a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium is heartbreaking indeed. All that those people wanted was a glimpse of the players who had given them so much joy and happiness over the years, especially in the last two months. The IPL Trophy, which they kept hoping would be theirs every year but never did, was finally coming to them after a wait of 18 years,” he concluded.
RCB faced a lot of criticism as they celebrated their victory on the very net day of winning the tournament. Concerns are being raised regarding the safety procedures that were taken at the place, and the administration and police forces have gotten time to set suitable security measures for an event of such a scale.
