Virat Kohli Breaks Silence 91 Days After RCB Victory Stampede, Launches ‘RCB Cares’ Initiative

Ninety-one days after a celebration turned tragic in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli, legendary India cricketer and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) icon, has issued his first detailed public statement addressing the incident. The stampede during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations on June 4 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.

“Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th,” Kohli wrote in an emotional note released by RCB on Wednesday. “What should’ve been the happiest moment in our franchise’s history… turned into something tragic. 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.”

While Kohli had shared a brief response via RCB’s statement immediately after the tragedy, this marks his first comprehensive public reflection on the event.

Background and Public Scrutiny

Investigations revealed that RCB had not obtained the necessary clearances for the massive gathering. The crowd, reportedly in lakhs, overwhelmed the stadium’s capacity after open invitations were shared on social media. Police, reportedly unprepared and outnumbered, struggled to manage the surge.

Launch of ‘RCB Cares’

In response, the franchise has introduced ‘RCB Cares’, a structured initiative to enhance fan safety and crowd management. The foundation has pledged ₹25 lakh compensation for each bereaved family but emphasizes that the primary goal is to support and honour the 12th Man Army through meaningful action.

Key objectives of ‘RCB Cares’ include:

• Establishing fan-safety audit frameworks

• Annual training for on-ground staff in crowd management and emergency response

• Investing in independent research on public safety at sporting events

• Creating permanent in-stadium jobs to support local communities

• Preserving the memory of lost fans by integrating their stories into the team’s history

The initiative is awaiting government approval before full-scale implementation and will work in collaboration with the Indian Premier League and Karnataka State Cricket Association.

Kohli, who has been with RCB for over a decade, reiterated the franchise’s commitment:

“Together, we will move forward with care, respect, and responsibility.”