RCB Wins Second IPL Title, Dedicates to Stampede Victims

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar dedicated his team’s second consecutive Indian Premier League title to the fans who lost their lives in a stampede last year, ensuring a night of celebration in Ahmedabad also served as a moment of solemn remembrance.

RCB defended its championship on Sunday night, defeating the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Virat Kohli anchored the successful chase of 156 with an unbeaten 75, securing the franchise’s place as only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back titles.

Standing with the trophy during the post-match press conference, Patidar directly linked the victory to the tragedy that overshadowed the franchise’s first title win in 2025. “We dedicate this trophy to our fans, actually not fans but family members who passed away in the tragedy,” Patidar said. “I always wanted this trophy to dedicate it to them. I don’t have words to express that feeling.”

The incident occurred on June 4, 2025, a day after RCB won its maiden IPL title. Thousands of fans gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for a felicitation ceremony, leading to a crowd crush that resulted...