The euphoria of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) long-awaited victory was overshadowed by a devastating stampede, resulting in the loss of eleven lives and injuries to around fifty individuals. The tragic event unfolded following RCB’s triumph after an eighteen-year drought. Investigations are underway, with four people now in custody in connection to the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, including RCB marketing official Nikhli Sosale. The BCCI has announced plans to establish new safety guidelines to govern victory celebrations, aiming to prevent future incidents.
Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, emphasized the board’s commitment, saying, “At some stage BCCI will have to do something. We cannot be a silent spectator.” He further stated, “It was a private affair of RCB, but we at the BCCI are responsible for cricket in India and we will try to ensure such incidents do not recur in future.”
Several factors may have contributed to the stampede, including a lack of clarity regarding event logistics. Unclear announcements regarding the event’s schedule and location, between Vidhana Soudha and the stadium, caused significant confusion and movement of people. Furthermore, reports suggest that even police officers were not fully aware of the event’s schedule. A lack of adequate communication among ground staff also worsened the situation.