Absolutely gutted: Virat Kohlis first reaction over stampede leaving 11 dead
Kohli took to social media and shared the team's official statement, adding a personal message expressing his sorrow at the tragic incident.
PTC News Desk: Virat Kohli said he was lost for words and "gutted" by the loss of lives and injuries caused by a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 victory celebrations in the city on Wednesday, June 4.
Kohli took to social media and shared the team's official statement, adding a personal message expressing his sorrow at the tragic incident.
"At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted," he wrote with a broken heart emoji.
The stampede which broke out outside the venue when thousands of fans tried to catch a glimpse of the victorious team, claimed 11 lives and left 47 others injured.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who had earlier received the team at the airport, also joined the program in the evening.
"Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our programme and followed the guidance and advice of the local administration," RCB said in the statement.
Virat Kohli even addressed the RCB fans inside the stadium when the team displayed the IPL trophy for the first time at the iconic venue. Kohli shared an emotional note to fans, calling them the best set of supporters across the sporting world.
“I’m going to start off by saying: it’s no longer ‘Ee Saala Cup Namde’—it’s ‘Ee Saala Cup Namdu’. We’ve done it,” Kohli said.
“This win isn’t just for the players—it’s for the fans, for the people of this incredible city. People who’ve supported RCB for 18 years, through highs and lows. I’ve never seen a fanbase like this anywhere else in the world. Congratulations to all of you.”