Overview:
RCB's social media team came to know about the stampede during the celebrations through the comment section on Instagram, but the live streaming was not stopped.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the IPL 2026 as defending champions. However, the franchise will not have fond memories of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after a stampede killed 11 people last year outside the venue. The fans had gathered to celebrate the success of RCB, but the situation turned tragic, and now the franchise is not ready to play their home matches in Bengaluru. According to a report by NDTV, RCB are not expected to compete at the famous stadium.
The report further added that RCB haven’t had any conversation with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), regarding playing IPL 2026 matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB are looking at Raipur for hosting their matches, with Indore also in the fray.
Earlier, Virat Kohli’s match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was shifted from the stadium at the last moment.
The painful memories of the stampeded will be something Kohli and other players will want to move on from. RCB’s social media team came to know about the stampede during the celebrations through the comment section on Instagram, but the live streaming was not stopped.
The felicitation was cut short after the players and the officials were informed about the situation. The Karnataka government blamed the franchise for not following any procedure. The government announced the compensation for the deceased and agreed to cover the medical expenses of the injured. RCB also made a similar announcement.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals are also moving out of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium after disagreement with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). One of the officials of the RCA accused RR of match-fixing. They are likely to play their matches in Pune.