By Loshinniy Nair S. Baskaran,
KUALA LUMPUR: On June 3, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB scored 190 runs, with Krunal Pandya named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling. Virat Kohli contributed 43 runs, and captain Rajat Patidar praised the team’s performance, stating that Kohli deserved the win more than anyone else.
The victory ended an 18-year wait for RCB fans. Kohli, emotional after the win, dedicated the trophy to the fans and the city of Bengaluru.
However, celebrations turned tragic on June 4 during a victory parade in Bengaluru. A massive crowd gathered near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, leading to a stampede that resulted in at least 11 deaths and over 30 injuries. The incident occurred as fans tried to enter the stadium to witness the team’s trophy celebration. Authorities expressed shock and sorrow, acknowledging the lack of preparation for the large crowd.
The tragedy overshadowed RCB’s historic win, prompting calls for better crowd control measures to prevent such incidents in the future, as stated in India Today.
