Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Rajat Patidar dedicated the franchise’s second consecutive IPL title to the 11 fans who lost their lives in the stampede during celebrations of the team’s maiden championship win last year.

RCB defended their crown brilliantly Defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Virat Kohli chased the target by playing an unbeaten inning of 75 runs, due to which Bengaluru secured the title by achieving the target of 156 runs in a row.

Speaking after the win, Patidar remembered the supporters who died in the tragedy in Bengaluru a day after RCB’s historic win in 2025.

“We dedicate this trophy to our fans, not really fans, but to the family members who passed away in the tragedy last year,” Patidar said in the post-match press conference.

IPL 2026 final: highlighted | Achievement:

The tribute was in keeping with the franchise’s efforts throughout the season to honor the victims. Before their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB observed a minute of silence in memory of the 11 supporters who lost their lives in the crowd attack.

Players of both the teams wore black armbands, while the RCB team trained wearing the number 11 jersey. The franchise also announced that 11 seats at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain vacant throughout the season as a mark of respect.

The tragedy occurred on June 4, 2025, a day after RCB ended their 18-year wait for the IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. Thousands of fans gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium for the felicitation ceremony held after the team returned to Bengaluru.

The crowd had exceeded expectations and, struggling to cope with the rush at the entrances, a crush developed outside the venue. Eleven people died and several others were injured, eclipsing what is considered the most famous day in franchise history.

The incident led to intense scrutiny of crowd management and event planning, while cricket activities at the Chinnaswamy Stadium were affected for months.

Virat, Rajat thank RCB’s ’12th Army’

RCB supporters once again made their presence felt in the final on Sunday. Although the match was played at Gujarat Titans’ home ground in Ahmedabad, a large section of the crowd was supporting Bengaluru.

Rajat Patidar and both Virat Kohli pays tribute to the franchise’s loyal fan base After helping RCB win their second consecutive IPL title.

“I always say we don’t have seven home matches. We probably have 14. Wherever we go, our fans are cheering for us and supporting the team. GT might have been the home team tonight, but it felt like 90 percent of the crowd was RCB supporters,” Kohli said.

“It’s something we’ve built up over the years and we just want to make them proud and continue to do our best. Their support has been invaluable. I’m really happy they were able to celebrate with us tonight and see us lift the trophy.”

Patidar echoed those sentiments, dedicating the win to the fans who stood by the franchise through almost two decades of ups and downs.

Patidar said, “This one is for you once again, RCB fans. Ee Saala Nu Cup Namdu.”

A year after tragedy loomed over their maiden IPL win, RCB ensured their supporters remained at the center of the celebrations as they lifted the trophy for the second consecutive season.

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