A heartbreaking twist overshadowed the jubilant homecoming celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday, as a massive stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left many others injured. The tragedy occurred during a felicitation event organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Academy (KSCA) to honour the IPL 2025 champions, who had just ended an 18-year wait for their maiden title.

The festive atmosphere turned tragic as thousands of fans flooded the streets to welcome the victorious team, fresh off a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings in Tuesday night’s final. What began as a moment of collective pride soon spiraled into chaos, as the overwhelming crowd pushed forward in desperation, leading to suffocation and panic. Despite police efforts to manage the situation using batons, the surging mass proved unmanageable.

In the wake of the incident, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his grief on social media, extending his sympathies to the bereaved families. He noted that the catastrophe had 'cast a shadow over the spirit of the game'