'Speechless. Numb': Former India cricketers express shock over Chinnaswamy stadium stampede

The cricket world is in shock after the tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations on Wednesday. RCB players reached Bengaluru to celebrate their maiden IPL title win with fans earlier in the day.

The entire RCB squad was first taken to the Vidhana Soudha, where the Karnataka state government organised a felicitation ceremony to honour their IPL 2025 title win. After the event, the team headed to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for further celebrations. However, a huge crowd of fans had gathered outside the stadium, and due to massive congestion, a tragic stampede took place.

According to the Karnataka government, at least 11 people have died and 33 others were injured in the incident. The families of victims will get compensation from the government. Several former and current cricketers have expressed deep sorrow over the incident that has claimed innocent lives and left many injured.

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Former India cricketers react to Chinnaswamy stampede

Former India opener and commentator Aakash Chopra said he was “speechless” and “numb” after hearing the news. “A victory parade for an IPL win claiming innocent lives. Heart goes out for the affected and their loved ones. Om Shanti,” he posted on social media.

Speechless. Numb. A victory parade for an IPL win claiming innocent lives.
Heart goes out for the affected and their loved ones. 🕉️ शान्ति

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 4, 2025

Harbhajan Singh also offered his condolences and said the heartbreaking news had cast a dark shadow over the game. “Heartbreaking news of a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and injuries to several cricket fans has cast a dark shadow over the spirit of the game that unites millions across our nation.”

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Heartbreaking news of a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, resulting in the tragic loss of lives and injuries to several cricket fans has cast a dark shadow over the spirit of the game that unites millions across our nation.

My deepest condolences go out…

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 4, 2025

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared a broken heart emoji on social media to express his silent grief. Former Karnataka cricketer Dodda Ganesh, who has often been vocal about cricket and public issues, said this was the “saddest day” of his life.

💔

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 4, 2025

“As an Indian cricketer, this is the saddest day of my life. Simply unable to process the tragedy at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Innocent fans who came to catch the glimpses of their cricket heroes losing their lives is heart-wrenching. My heart goes out to the bereaved families," he wrote.

As an Indian cricketer, this is the saddest day of my life. Simply unable to process the tragedy at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

Innocent fans who came to catch the glimpses of their cricket heroes losing their lives is heart-wrenching. My heart goes out to the bereaved families.

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) June 4, 2025