September 3, 2025

Ninety-one days after a joyous victory celebration in Bengaluru turned into a heartbreaking disaster, cricket superstar Virat Kohli finally spoke out. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) icon shared his first official public statement on Wednesday about the shocking stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL win celebrations on June 4. This terrible event took 11 lives and injured many others. Kohli said, “Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th.” He called the day “a moment that turned joy into unimaginable sorrow.” The joyful party, which should have been the happiest in the team’s history, sadly ended in tragedy. Kohli added, “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.” Although Kohli had reposted RCB’s statement just a day after the incident, this was his first full and personal message about the calamity. The tragic event came under heavy public criticism. Investigators revealed that RCB did not get the necessary permissions for such a large crowd. The massive gathering, with fans numbering in lakhs, far exceeded the stadium’s capacity after open invitations went viral on social media. Police forces, outnumbered and unprepared, struggled to keep control, leading to the fatal chaos. To respond to this tragedy, the franchise announced a new campaign: ‘RCB Cares’. This program aims to improve fan safety and crowd control at future events. One of its biggest steps is a compensation package of ₹25 lakh for each family that lost a loved one. Yet, beyond money, Kohli and the team want to truly support their loyal fans, the “12th Man Army,” through real and meaningful changes. ‘RCB Cares’ plans to work closely with the Indian Premier League and Karnataka State Cricket Association to build better safety systems. The initiative’s six major goals include: - Setting up fan-safety checks - Annual training for staff on crowd handling and emergencies - Funding research on public safety at sports events - Creating permanent stadium jobs to help local communities - Honoring the lost fans by sharing their stories as part of the team’s history The program awaits government approval before it can launch fully. Virat Kohli, a heart and soul of RCB for over ten years, said the tragic loss is now a permanent part of the team’s journey. He ended with hope, saying, “Together, we will move forward, with care, respect, and responsibility.” This statement sets a hopeful tone after a dreadful event, aiming to turn pain into lasting safety and respect for fans.

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Tags: Virat kohli, Rcb, Ipl stampede, Chinnaswamy stadium, Rcb cares, Fan safety,