June 7, 2025: Cricketing icon Virat Kohli has found himself at the center of a storm just days after one of the most significant moments of his career. Following Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) historic IPL title win—ending an 18-year drought—Kohli’s long-awaited triumph turned tragic when a stampede during the victory celebration at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru claimed the lives of 11 people.
🏟️ The Celebration That Turned Into Chaos
On June 4, just a day after the victory, Kohli and his teammates gathered at the stadium to celebrate with thousands of loyal fans. What was meant to be a moment of unity and joy spiraled into a deadly crush as crowd control broke down under the sheer pressure of the swelling crowd.
Despite warnings and requests by the Bengaluru police to either postpone the celebrations or limit the scale of the event, those pleas were allegedly ignored by RCB management, KSCA, and state officials.
“We tried to discourage them… but there was a mad frenzy,” a senior police official said. “Our request to postpone it to Sunday was ignored.”
📉 From Celebrated Captain to #ArrestKohli
Within 36 hours, social media sentiment turned volatile. The hashtag #ArrestKohli began trending on X (formerly Twitter), with some accusing Kohli of negligence and even fleeing the country. Photos of him at the Mumbai airport sparked rumors that he was “running away to London.”
While Kohli has not made a public statement yet, the backlash has been swift and unforgiving—despite no evidence suggesting he had a direct role in organizing the event.
🧑⚖️ Arrests & Accountability
Authorities have arrested six individuals so far in connection with the incident, including:
- Nikhil Sosale (RCB management)
- Sunil Mathew (DNA Event Management)
- Two KSCA ticketing staff
- Others involved in logistical oversight
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also taken action, suspending Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and three other senior police officials for alleged lapses in crowd management.
🗣️ Rahul Gandhi’s 2021 Post Resurfaces
In the midst of the trolling, hate, and misinformation, a 2021 post by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has resurfaced. Originally shared after India’s 2021 T20 World Cup losses, it showed Gandhi defending Kohli:
“Dear Virat, These people are filled with hate because nobody gives them any love. Forgive them. Protect the team.”
Kohli had previously taken a stand against religious trolling when his teammate Mohammed Shami was targeted post a loss to Pakistan. Kohli condemned the attacks and stood by Shami, earning both praise and hatred online.
⚖️ A Moment of Reflection
While RCB’s IPL win will always remain a historic milestone, the tragedy that followed has cast a long shadow over it. The calls for justice, the demand for accountability, and the quick shift in public opinion reflect the volatility of fame and the weight of public expectation.
As the investigation continues, what remains clear is this: triumph and tragedy are often separated by a moment—and in this case, it was deadly.