Virat Kohli has broken his silence after a deadly stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru cast a dark shadow over Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations. At least 11 people lost their lives and 33 others were injured when a massive crowd surged to get a glimpse of the players during the event. While the team’s felicitation went on as scheduled inside the stadium, it was the lack of immediate response that has since drawn widespread public criticism.

“Deeply saddened,” Kohli offers condolences

Amid growing backlash on social media and beyond, Kohli issued a heartfelt message expressing sorrow over the loss of lives. “Deeply saddened by the tragic incident outside the stadium. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected,” he wrote.

However, many questioned the timing of this response, asking why the ceremony wasn’t called off sooner. The delay in acknowledging the situation led to allegations of insensitivity from some fans and observers.

Atul Wassan defends Kohli, points at franchise and politicians

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan defended Kohli, strongly suggesting that the RCB star would not have been aware of the tragedy unfolding outside while the celebrations continued.

“I cannot believe in a million years that Virat Kohli knew that people were dying outside and the felicitation was going inside,” Wassan remarked. He attributed possible awareness to corporate and political figures present at the event, asserting that had Kohli known, “he would have immediately walked out.”

RCB management under scanner

The incident has also put RCB’s franchise management under scrutiny for allegedly not halting the event once the magnitude of the stampede became known. Many believe that the lack of communication between the ground and event organisers contributed to the tone-deaf continuation of celebrations.

AB de Villiers joins in offering support

Former RCB batter and South African cricketer AB de Villiers also posted a message of support, saying, “My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragic events at the Chinnaswamy Stadium today.”

CM confirms death toll and support measures

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed the deaths and promised free treatment for the injured. He called the stampede a “heart-wrenching” incident and said that measures would be taken to ensure such a tragedy does not repeat.

Punjab Kings’ dream run in the Indian Premier League 2025 came to a heartbreaking halt in the final, where they suffered a narrow six-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite a spirited campaign that saw them reach the final for the first time since 2014, captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the pain of the loss while expressing pride in his team’s fearless performance throughout the tournament.

Speaking after the final, Iyer admitted the moment that turned the tide was Krunal Pandya’s impactful bowling spell, which disrupted Punjab’s chase of 191. The side eventually ended at 184/7 in their 20 overs, falling agonizingly short of their maiden IPL title.

Krunal’s breakthrough spell changes momentum

“Honestly, I’m dejected,” said Iyer, reflecting on the narrow defeat. “But the way our players responded throughout the season was phenomenal. Credit to the entire team, support staff, and management. Krunal Pandya’s spell was crucial. His experience showed, and I believe that was the turning point.”

The 2025 campaign marked Punjab Kings’ only third-ever playoff appearance and their second final in IPL history. Iyer, who had led Kolkata Knight Riders to the championship in 2024 and previously guided Delhi Daredevils to a final, became the first-ever captain to take three different franchises to the tournament finale.

Iyer praises youngsters and sets sights on 2026

Despite his personal disappointment with the bat — scoring only 1 run in the final — Iyer was full of praise for his team’s younger players. “There are many youngsters who were playing their first IPL season and they showed real courage,” he said. “Their belief that we could win every game brought us this far. I’m confident we’ll come back next season and lift the trophy.”

One of the highlights of Punjab’s campaign was Iyer’s match-winning 87 in Qualifier 2, which eliminated Mumbai Indians and booked their spot in the final. But on the decisive night, it was Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 61 and Josh Inglis’ quickfire 39 that kept PBKS in the hunt until the very end.

As Punjab Kings look ahead to IPL 2026, the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and the emergence of new talents promise another competitive season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) etched their name in history books on Tuesday night by winning their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. After posting a total of 190 for 9, RCB held their nerve in the death overs to bowl out Punjab for 161 and secure a 29-run win.

PBKS, chasing 191, found themselves under immense pressure after regular setbacks despite resistance from Shashank Singh and Nehal Wadhera. The turning point came in the 17th over, when Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up two crucial wickets, including that of Marcus Stoinis and Wadhera, dashing Punjab’s hopes of a comeback.

Earlier, Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball for Punjab, finishing with figures of 3 for 40. His fiery spell in the final over helped restrict RCB to 190, despite a 43-run contribution from Virat Kohli and brief cameos by the middle order. However, the target ultimately proved enough for Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling unit.

Kyle Jamieson picked three wickets but was expensive, conceding 48 runs in four overs. RCB’s bowling attack, led by Krunal Pandya (2 wickets) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 24), maintained pressure throughout the innings. Josh Hazlewood also contributed with a key wicket in the powerplay.

With this win, RCB have finally ended their long wait for an IPL trophy, a moment celebrated with emotional scenes on the field and in the stands.

As the final winning confirmed, RCB sealed their historic IPL title, an emotional Virat Kohli was seen with tears in his eyes, overwhelmed by the long-awaited triumph. Having spent over a decade with the franchise, the win marked a deeply personal milestone for Kohli, who soaked in the atmosphere amid thunderous cheers from the Bengaluru fans. It was a moment of redemption, relief, and raw joy, reflecting the years of dedication he poured into the team.