IPL 202

RCB shown no mercy, IPL champions shredded after stampede outside Chinnaswamy claims 11 lives: ‘Owner made big mistake’

Danijones1 week ago06 mins

What was supposed to be a happy and festive day for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans in the city turned out to be a complete horror show after a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left 33 injured. RCB’s maiden IPL title win celebrations were marred by the unfortunate incident. Several are questioning the need for having such a big event within 18 hours after winning the tournament. While accountability is being demanded, former India pacer Madan Lal believes responsibility needs to be taken by RCB as well as they erred in judgement. Madan Lal minced no words as he called out RCB after a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives. (AFP) While the news of the stampede garnered headlines, the RCB management proceeded with the celebrations inside the stadium. Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli gave short speeches before the event eventually wrapped. While RCB have made it clear that they cut short the celebrations upon finding about the stampede, the franchise continues to be questioned about the need for having such a big and lavish event within hours of winning the tournament. It must be mentioned that this is the first time that a victory parade of such scale was planned in the IPL. Former India pacer Madan Lal, who was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, questioned RCB’s decision to go ahead with the event so quickly, as they could have easily waited two to three days. “It’s extremely unfortunate that 11 lives were lost, this tragedy should never have happened. It was completely avoidable. You celebrated in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night. What was the rush for holding celebrations in Bengaluru?” Madan Lal told news agency PTI. Also Read: ‘DISGRACED’: BCCI shocked but has ‘no role’ in Bengaluru stampede “The celebrations could have been held two or three days later, and RCB fans would have still shown up in full spirit. You could have given proper timings. Even if it was held after 2-3 days, the RCB fans would have still turned up. Had that been done, this incident might have been prevented,” he added. ‘Franchise owner made big mistake’ Madan Lal also blamed RCB owners, saying the franchise made a big statement by going with the celebrations so quickly. He added that the state government is at fault, but one cannot deny RCB’s role. “Who is to blame – RCB or the government? If the state government had denied permission, the celebrations wouldn’t have gone ahead. So the government is definitely accountable, but RCB is also at fault,” said Madan Lal. “The team was taken out for a public celebration just four hours after landing, what was the urgency? IPL teams have a huge fan following these days. The franchise owner made an error in judgment, he made a big mistake,” he added. It must also be mentioned that the Bengaluru Traffic Police had denied the permission for a victory parade. However, as per reports, the RCB management kept trying to persuade to allow the parade to go ahead for a brief while from Vidhana Soudha to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Madan Lal, however, stated that BCCI had no role in the incident. “BCCI cannot be blamed. It was RCB’s responsibility, they should have worked together with the government. Who will look after the families who lost someone during the stampede?” he said. “All that joy and celebration now feels hollow and ruined. There was absolutely no need to fly RCB in and organise a celebration in such haste. What was the need for such a hurried celebration? There was a big communication gap. Sadly, in our country, human lives continue to be undervalued,” he added.

Virat Kohli fails to hold back tears, sinks to his knees after RCB end 18-year-long wait to be crowned IPL champions

Danijones1 week ago05 mins

It took 18 years, but it finally happened. Jersey No.18 finally got his hands on the coveted Indian Premier League trophy after Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in the 2025 final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The 36-year-old Virat Kohli, who has been performing season after season and was often left heartbroken as RCB crashed and burned several times in the past, finally became an IPL champion. IPL 2025 Final, RCB vs PBKS: Virat Kohli failed to hold back his tears as RCB ended the 18-year-long wait(RCB – X) After coming close in 2009, 2011, and 2016, the story was completely different in 2025. Unlike previous seasons, RCB put in a completely rounded team performance. The change in strategy paid off, and RCB has a trophy to show in its cabinet for that. There was no overdependence on Kohli in the 18th edition of the IPL, as the focus was on team performance and the other members stepping up. It is no surprise that Kohli broke down as soon as Josh Hazlewood delivered the final ball of the game, which Shashank Singh hit for a six. Once the final ball was bowled, Kohli fell to the ground and struggled to fight back tears as RCB sealed the contest by six runs. In fact, the first signs of Kohli overcoming emotions emerged when RCB had ensured the win. With 30 needed off the last over, once Hazlewood kept Shashank quiet, the realisation hit. Despite four balls to go, Kohli covered his face with his hands. The next time the camera panned towards him, his eyes were red and moist. And that did it. Also Read: ‘I have given RCB my youth, my prime and my experience’; Virat Kohli after realising IPL dream Once the formalities were over, the entire RCB team came running towards him, the whole contingent sharing a group hug. Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya and Jitesh Sharma all charged towards Kohli to celebrate the special achievement. After the win, Hazlewood, Jitesh, and Dinesh Karthik spoke about how the team wanted to win it for Kohli, who has been associated with RCB since the tournament’s inception. The achievement is all the more special for Kohli as he has played for just one franchise in all 18 editions of the tournament. The batter has performed consistently over the years. However, somehow, the franchise failed to win the tournament. This constant failure led to RCB getting trolled mercilessly. At last, though, the agonising wait came to an end for Kohli and RCB. Virat Kohli hugs AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle As soon as the match was won, RCB legends AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle couldn’t help but rush onto the field to celebrate with Kohli. Kohli also brought his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, to the middle to celebrate the end of RCB’s title drought. In the final against Punjab Kings, Kohli scored 43 runs off 35 balls, and this knock helped propel RCB to 190/9 in their 20 overs. Krunal Pandya then returned with two wickets as RCB won the contest by six runs. It was Romario Shephard who took the crucial wicket of Shreyas Iyer. As soon as the PBKS captain was dismissed, RCB got their noses in front, and the Bengaluru-based franchise marched ahead with confidence.