‘Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th’: Virat Kohli breaks silence on stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations

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Sports Tak

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‘Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th’: Virat Kohli breaks silence on stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations
Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru reacts following the team's victory in the 2025 IPL Final match against Punjab Kings at Narendra Modi Stadium on June 03, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India.

Story Highlights:

Stampede during RCB's victory celebrations claimed 11 lives.

Virat Kohli said that the happiest moment in RCB's history turned tragic.

Kohli says he is praying for the families who lost their loved ones and fans who were injured.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) former captain Virat Kohli has reflected on the tragic loss of 11 lives and over 50 who were injured in the stampede outside M.Chinnaswamy Stadium during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 victory celebrations. Kohli said that the happiest moment in RCB’s history turned tragic. He has been praying for the people and their families who lost their lives in the stampede. 

“Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th. 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,” Kohli said in a statement posted by RCB on September 3. 

 

 

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RCB’s statement last week 

Last week, RCB shared a post for the ones affected, saying that their silence wasn't absence but grief. They aim to help the ones affected via RCB CARES. 

“It’s been close to three months since we last posted here,” RCB wrote on social media.

 

 

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“The Silence wasn’t Absence. It was Grief.

 

 

“This space was once filled with energy, memories and moments that you enjoyed the most.. But June 4th changed everything.

 

 

“That day broke our hearts, and the silence since then has been our way of holding space.

 

 

 

“In that silence, we’ve been grieving. Listening. Learning. And slowly, we’ve begun to build something more than just a response. Something we truly believe in.”

 

 

Financial aid and steps taken by RCB

Later, RCB announced that they have extended Rs 25 lakh to each the families of each of the 11 fans who lost their lives. In addition, they claimed about building a safer environment for their fans by working on crowd safety.