Virat Kohli reacted to the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru earlier today, saying he was “absolutely gutted” and “at a loss for words” on the tragic incident, which claimed 11 lives and left 33 others injured.
Kohli shared Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s official statement on Instagram, adding his reaction to the post’s caption, to express grief at the tragic incident. A stampede was caused outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations in the city, as fans thronged the venue uncontrollably to catch a glimpse of the team.
The event was organised to celebrate the team’s historic win as they finally lifted the IPL trophy after 18 years. However, chaos ensued as more than two to three lakh supporters gathered at the stadium, which had a capacity of merely 35,000 people.
Hours after the incident, RCB took to Instagram to express anguish over the stampede, stressing how the “safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance”.
“RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our program, and followed, the guidance and advice of the local administration,” the RCB statement read.
The team also urged all its supporters to stay safe.
The BCCI also slammed the preparatory lapses during the RCB event that marred the team’s IPL winning celebrations. “It is very unfortunate. This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for cricketers. The organisers should have planned it better. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. I wish early recovery of the injured,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI.
Saikia further stressed on the need to take proper precautions, safety and security measures when organising a victory celebration of this magnitude. “After such a glorious ending to the IPL, this has been an anti-climax.”
