Bengaluru IPL celebrations: Virat Kohli, RCB teammates honoured with Mysore Peta
The Karnataka government held a civic reception on Wednesday to honour the IPL 2025 champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at the Vidhana Soudha. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah felicitated Virat Kohli and his teammates with traditional Mysore Petas and garlands made of cardamom, in a symbolic celebration of the team's maiden IPL title.The Vidhana Soudha, seat of the state legislature, served as the grand backdrop for the occasion. However, the festivities were marred by tragedy. At least seven people were killed in a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium later that evening, as massive crowds gathered to celebrate RCB's historic win.advertisementDespite the unfolding crisis, the felicitation ceremony proceeded inside the stadium, where players were honoured for their title-clinching victory over Punjab Kings in Tuesday's final. As fans thronged the venue in overwhelming numbers, inadequate crowd management led to chaos outside, resulting in a deadly crush.
Earlier in the day, the RCB squad returned to Bengaluru to a hero's welcome. Thousands of fans lined the route from the airport to the stadium. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar received the team before they proceeded to Vidhana Soudha for the official reception.RCB IPL victory celebration in Bengaluru HighlightsAs the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team bus rolled in, thousands of fans who had gathered since morning erupted in celebration. Skipper Rajat Patidar held the IPL trophy aloft, flanked by Player of the Final Krunal Pandya and senior statesman Virat Kohli, as the squad acknowledged the unwavering support.
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advertisementAt the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the players were once again honoured with the traditional Mysore Peta and garlands. The ceremony, attended by senior government officials and throngs of passionate supporters, marked the culmination of an emotional journey to RCB's maiden IPL title.Later, the team bus made a grand entrance into the stadium, welcomed by raucous applause and a sea of flashing phone cameras. From the stadium balcony, Patidar lifted the trophy once more, surrounded by jubilant teammates. Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who played a crucial role in the campaign, looked on with a smile.
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When Kohli stepped forward to address the crowd, his words were drowned out several times by deafening cheers. After a few attempts, the former captain finally spoke:"I'm going to start off by repeating what our captain said: it's no longer Ee Sala Cup Namde, it's Ee Sala Cup Namdu. This is for all of you - the fans, the people of this city, everyone who has stood by RCB through thick and thin. I've never witnessed a fanbase like this anywhere in the world. And today, I want to give the loudest cheer for him [Patidar]."Tune InMust Watch
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