NEW DELHI: The celebrations were in full swing outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with loud cheers, hoots, and roaring chants filling the air as fans gathered in massive numbers to catch a glimpse of their victorious Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stars. The scenes reflected the joy of a fanbase that had waited 18 years for this moment. On Tuesday night, RCB clinched their maiden IPL title with a six-run win over Punjab Kings in a thrilling final at a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.For franchise icon Virat Kohli, who has been with RCB since the league’s inception in 2008, it was a particularly significant milestone—finally lifting the trophy after years of near misses.RCB players are scheduled to meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, after which they will head to their home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, for a fan engagement event. Huge crowds have already assembled at the stadium, hoping to witness the team’s moment of glory up close.The Karnataka State Cricket Association has organised a special felicitation ceremony for the RCB squad at the stadium to honour their historic achievement.In videos circulating on social media, the crowd outside the stadium grew so large that Karnataka Police had to use mild force to manage the swelling numbers and maintain order.Tragedy struck during the RCB victory celebrations at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, as reports indicate that seven people, including a child, lost their lives in a stampede. Over 25 others have sustained injuries in the incident, with six individuals reported to be in critical condition.Earlier in the day, the Rajat Patidar-led team was received at the airport by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. As the players made their way to the Chief Minister’s office at Vidhana Soudha, fans lined the streets, cheering their champions with unbridled enthusiasm.
However, the much-awaited open-top bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium may be cancelled due to heavy traffic congestion, according to a tweet by Bengaluru Traffic Police. The city’s rainy weather and the challenges of crowd control—especially following last night’s massive celebrations—also contributed to the uncertainty around the parade.That said, the parade could still happen if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah grants special permission. The open-top bus remains parked near his office, awaiting the final nod.
