RCB celebrated their IPL win in Chinnaswamy Stadium while stampede happened outside.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket Mo Bobat talked about the franchise winning its first-ever Indian Premier League title after 18 years, as they defeated Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final to lift the trophy.
Rajat Patidar became the first RCB captain to lift the IPL trophy, and Virat Kohli’s long wait for IPL silverware ended.
However, their moment of joy and attempt to celebrate with the loyal RCB fans turned tragic as a stampede occurred outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, claiming the lives of 11 people, while the RCB contingent celebrated their win with the Karnataka CM and deputy CM in attendance.
It is something that RCB as a franchise will have to contend with in the years to come; individuals in positions of authority still do not want to conceal it.
The team feels a sense of obligation to their memories and their families because of the tragedy that claimed the lives of RCB supporters; Mo Bobat, the team's director of cricket, emphasized this feeling.
Bobat talked about how a crush in and around M. Chinnaswamy Stadium went out of control after RCB's victory, causing tragedy.
“Cricket and the IPL are so much about passion and enjoyment, and one of our biggest motivators is our fans. We talked during the competition that we want to win it for our fans,” said Bobat in an interview with Cricbuzz.
“They've been the patient ones. Some of us are new. These fans have waited 18 years, so we wanted to do it for them, and for some of them to have lost their lives just feels incredibly sad. We look forward to being able to recognize those people and their families. Their stories become a part of our history now,” Bobat added.
Given the impact these deaths will have on the team and the city overall, Bobat acknowledged that there is no quick fix for the tragedy, despite criticism of RCB for their rather quiet response to it in the immediate aftermath.
Instead, it will become ingrained in the RCB narrative, a part of the team's character, and recollections of victory will be accompanied by a corresponding sensation of loss.
“Every sports team has a history, and it has a heritage. What they've experienced becomes a part of our heritage and history, and we have to honor them,” Bobat concluded, recognizing that RCB now has a responsibility towards their fans.