RCB Captain Honors Fans After Title Win
In a heartfelt gesture, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Rajat Patidar dedicated the team’s second consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) title to the 11 fans who tragically lost their lives in a stampede during last year’s celebrations following the team’s first championship win.
RCB showcased their skill and determination on Sunday by defeating the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Star player Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring an unbeaten 75 runs as Bengaluru chased down 156 runs to secure back-to-back titles.
After the match, Patidar took a moment to honor the fans who lost their lives in a heartbreaking incident that occurred just a day after RCB’s historic win in 2025. He said, “We dedicate this trophy to our fans, actually not fans, family members, who passed away in the tragedy last year.”
This dedication reflects RCB’s ongoing efforts to remember the victims. At their first match of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the team observed a minute of silence in memory of the 11 supporters. Players from both sides also wore black armbands, and RCB trained in jerseys featuring the number 11. Throughout the season, 11 seats at the Chinnaswamy Stadium have been left empty as a gesture of respect.
The tragic event occurred on June 4, 2025, when a large crowd gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate RCB’s first IPL victory over Punjab Kings. The turnout exceeded expectations, leading to a dangerous crush, which caused several injuries alongside the unfortunate loss of 11 lives.
The incident raised serious questions about crowd management and safety, impacting cricket events at the stadium for months afterward.
Support from the Fans
Despite the challenges, RCB’s supporters remained a significant presence during the final. Even though the match took place at the home ground of the Gujarat Titans, many fans were there to support RCB. Kohli took a moment to appreciate their unwavering loyalty, stating, “We probably have 14 home games. It felt like 90 percent of the crowd were RCB supporters tonight.”
Patidar also expressed gratitude towards the fans, saying, “This one is for you again, RCB fans. Ee Sala nu Cup Namdu.”
With this title win, RCB ensured that the focus remained on their dedicated supporters, celebrating with joy and pride for the team’s achievements, a year after a tragedy marred their first IPL victory.
