Sunil Gavaskar Mourns Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede, Reflects on RCB's Historic IPL Win and Fans' Heartbreak

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed profound grief over the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where 11 people lost their lives and over 50 were injured during the victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win. The massive turnout of fans, eager to celebrate their team’s long-awaited triumph, overwhelmed the arrangements, leading to the devastating incident on Wednesday.

Gavaskar, who was part of the commentary panel throughout the IPL season, said he was heartbroken by the tragedy. At the same time, he acknowledged the deep emotional connection RCB fans have with the team, having waited 18 years for their first title.

“If RCB had won the trophy in the early years, we might not have seen such an overwhelming outpour of emotion. Other teams have celebrated titles before, but perhaps with less frenzy—mainly because their fans didn’t have to endure such a long wait,” Gavaskar wrote in his Mid-Day column.

He touched on how the weight of the team’s iconic slogan—“Ee sala cup namde” (This time, the cup is ours)—may have become a burden over the years. Interestingly, he pointed out that this season, the slogan was heard far less, and the team responded with one of their best-ever performances, much of it away from home.

“They won every single away game, setting a new record in IPL history. No wonder the home fans wanted to give them a special ovation,” he said. “Heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones. It’s heartbreaking. All they wanted was a glimpse of the players who had given them such immense joy—especially over the last two months.”

Gavaskar also reflected on the raw, human emotion behind the fans’ actions. “It’s only natural to want to see your heroes up close—maybe touch them, say hello, or click a quick photo. We’ve all been fans at some point in our lives. It’s a feeling that transcends logic.”

Following the tragedy, RCB faced criticism for going ahead with the celebrations just a day after their title win, leaving little time for the administration and police to make adequate security arrangements. In response, the franchise has announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh each to the families of those who died in the stampede.

Despite the shadow cast by the heartbreaking event, Gavaskar acknowledged the incredible journey of the RCB squad this season and the sheer passion of the fanbase. “The prayers of their loved ones, and the support of their fans, played no small part in finally bringing that elusive cup to Bengaluru,” he said.

In the end, Gavaskar’s words served as both a tribute to RCB’s unforgettable win and a poignant reminder of the lives lost in the joy of victory.