RCB return home carrying hope and scars, aim to rebuild identity in IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally clinched their maiden IPL title last year, but celebrations were tragically marred by a stadium stampede. After a nine-month hiatus and significant stadium upgrades, cricket returns to Chinnaswamy. RCB, now defending champions, face challenges with key player absences but aim for a balanced season, balancing title defence with future planning.
BENGALURU: It took Royal Challengers Bengaluru 18 long seasons and three failed attempts in the title contest to finally lay their hands on the elusive IPL trophy. On June 3 last year, they edged out Punjab Kings by six runs in the final. The wait was agonising — stretched across near-misses, heartbreaks and unwavering belief from one of the league’s most loyal fan bases.
But when the moment arrived, the celebrations were tragically cut short. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
June 4, 2025, altered Bengaluru’s sporting landscape in ways few could have imagined. Eleven lives were lost outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in a stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations — less than 24 hours after their landmark win. What should have been a day of unfiltered joy turned into one of grief and disbelief, leaving an indelible scar on the city and the sport.
In the immediate aftermath, the title triumph faded into the background. The tragedy also cast a shadow over the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium. The venue, which had hosted international matches for five decades, was barred from staging games.
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