A victory which came after 17 seasons of IPL soon turned into a tragedy. This tragedy occurred when 11 people died during the victory celebrations of RCB at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Franchise has announced a special initiative ‘RCB Cares’.
Legendary India cricketer and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) icon Virat Kohli issued his first public statement. This occurred 91 days after a victory celebration turned tragic in Bengaluru. He addressed the tragic incident. Kohli described the stampede during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations earlier this year. He said it was a moment that changed joy into unimaginable sorrow. The incident, which occurred on June 4 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.
Also read: Tragedy Strikes RCB Victory Parade Outside Chinnaswamy Stadium: 7 dead, dozens injured in Stampede
Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th. Kohli expressed this sentiment in an emotional note. The note was released on Wednesday by RCB. “What should’ve been the happiest moment in our franchise’s history… turned into something tragic. I’ve been thinking of and praying for the families of those we lost… and for our fans who were injured. Your loss is part of our story now. Together, we will move forward with care, respect and responsibility.”
Kohli’s first reaction came a day after the incident. He reposted RCB’s statement on his social media handles. However, this is his first proper statement.
Kohli’s words come amid continued public scrutiny over the planning and execution of the victory celebrations. Investigations following the stampede found that RCB had not sought the required clearances to host the massive gathering. The crowd — estimated in lakhs — overwhelmed the stadium’s capacity after the franchise shared open invitations on social media. The police, reportedly caught unprepared and outnumbered, were unable to control the surge of fans.
RCB Cares an Initiative to Address Fan Safety and Crowd Management
In response to the tragedy, the franchise has launched a new initiative titled ‘RCB Cares’. It aims to address fan safety more systematically. The initiative also focuses on managing crowds more sustainably.
The foundation is now a central pillar of the franchise’s outreach. It has pledged ₹25 lakh in compensation for each of the bereaved families. But more than financial aid, Kohli and the team leadership say the goal is to support their 12th Man Army. They want to honor them “through meaningful action.”
According to RCB, ‘RCB Cares’ will work with the Indian Premier League. They will also collaborate with the Karnataka State Cricket Association to design more effective crowd management systems. Among its six key objectives are:
- Establishing fan-safety audit frameworks
- Annual training for on-ground staff in crowd management and emergency response
- Investing in independent research on public safety at sporting events
- Creating permanent in-stadium jobs to support local communities
- Preserving the memory of fans lost by integrating their stories into the team’s history
The initiative, however, is awaiting government approval before full implementation.
Kohli has been associated with the franchise for over a decade. He said the loss now forms an indelible part of the team’s journey. “Together, we will move forward,” he said, “with care, respect, and responsibility.”
RCB Cares an Initiative to Address Fan Safety and Crowd Management
