Bengaluru, March 29. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have expressed their gratitude to the authorities and the state government after the smooth conduct of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener, played against Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, on Saturday.
This was the first major match held at the ground after the tragic incident on June 4, 2025, when eleven lives were lost due to a stampede caused by thousands of fans gathering outside the ground to celebrate RCB's maiden IPL title win.
"RCB sincerely and wholeheartedly thanks the Karnataka State Government, the Bengaluru City Police, the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the Public Works Department, the Fire Department, and Namma Metro for enabling the smooth conduct of our home game in Bengaluru last night," RCB wrote on X.
The team also reiterated their commitment to fan safety, stating: "Our efforts and priorities will remain the same throughout the season – the safety and well-being of our dear fans!"
Players, officials, and fans observed a minute's silence in memory of the eleven supporters who died in a stampede during RCB's title celebrations last year.
Both teams took the field wearing black armbands as a mark of respect, while RCB also warmed up in jerseys bearing the number 11. As a symbolic gesture, 11 seats inside the stadium have been permanently reserved to honor those who lost their lives.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also unveiled a memorial plaque made in memory of the eleven fans and installed at the entrance of the venue, as top-flight cricket returned to the ground for the first time since May 2025.
Regarding the match, SRH posted a massive total of 201 runs, with Ishan Kishan scoring 80 off 35 balls. RCB chased down the total in just 15.4 overs, winning by 6 wickets with half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.