Bengaluru Stampede Kills 11 During Historic IPL Victory Celebrations

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended an 18-year wait by winning the IPL 2025 title, defeating Punjab Kings in a closely contested final, with key performances from Virat Kohli and captain Rajat Patidar. Kohli, deeply emotional, expressed a profound connection and loyalty to Bengaluru, reflecting on years of heartbreak and perseverance as the city erupted in joyous celebrations. However, the victory celebrations turned tragic when a poorly managed victory parade triggered a fatal stampede near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in at least 11 deaths and many injuries due to overcrowding and confusion over parade details. Criticism also arose over Punjab Kings' loss, with experts blaming egos and strategic errors, highlighting the team's struggle to overcome the 'also-ran' label despite strong leadership. RCB's triumph was attributed to collective team effort and strategic leadership, breaking the stereotype of underachievement despite star-studded lineups. The tragedy during celebrations underscored the need for better coordination between organizers and authorities to prevent such disasters in future public events.