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Gautam Gambhir Speaks Out After RCB Roadshow Turns Tragic: “Victory Means Nothing If Lives Are Lost”
Tragedy Overshadows RCB’s Historic IPL 2025 Win
What should have been a celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited IPL 2025 triumph turned into an unforgettable nightmare. On June 4, a massive crowd gathered in Bengaluru for the RCB victory roadshow. But joy soon turned into mourning as 11 fans tragically lost their lives during the overcrowded celebration.
The incident has sparked nationwide grief and serious questions about crowd management, prompting reactions from various cricket personalities, including the newly appointed Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Gautam Gambhir’s Heartfelt Reaction: “Celebration Should Not Cost Lives”
At a media briefing before the Indian team’s departure for their five-Test tour of England, Gambhir expressed his sorrow over the incident.
“It’s very tragic what happened yesterday, and my heart goes out to the families,” Gambhir said.
“Winning and celebrations are important… but not more than anyone’s life.”
He emphasized the need for responsibility from authorities, organizers, and the public alike. According to Gambhir, such events should be better planned or avoided altogether to prevent loss of life.
Criticism of Roadshows and Public Celebrations
Gambhir openly criticized the practice of roadshows, arguing that while cricket victories deserve celebration, public safety should never be compromised.
“I don’t believe in roadshows — not in the past, not now, and not in the future,” he said.
“If we can’t manage crowds, such roadshows should not happen. We can celebrate inside stadiums or in a controlled environment.”
His comments resonated with many fans and public figures who are now calling for stricter crowd control protocols during such large-scale events.
Selection Controversy: Gambhir Hints at Shreyas Iyer’s Possible Recall
While addressing the tragic event, Gambhir also shared updates on the Indian team’s plans for the upcoming England Test series.
When asked about Shreyas Iyer, who was controversially left out of the current squad, Gambhir left the door open for a mid-series call-up.
“Anyone can be called up if they are in good form. We could only pick 18. The selectors have explained their choices, but we are always open to bringing in top performers.”
Iyer had a strong IPL 2025 season, amassing 604 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of over 50. Ricky Ponting has also publicly supported Iyer’s inclusion in the red-ball setup.
Bumrah’s Workload Under Watch
One of the biggest decisions looming over the India-England Test series is the participation of Jasprit Bumrah. With injury concerns and workload management in mind, Gambhir indicated that the pacer might not play all five matches.
“It is tough to replace someone like Bumrah, but we’ve got depth. We’ll discuss with him and decide match-by-match.”
India’s bench strength, Gambhir said, gives them the confidence to rotate players based on conditions, form, and series progression.
Team Spirit Ahead of England Tour
Despite the distractions and emotional weight from recent events, Gambhir insisted that the team remains focused and motivated.
“Everyone is excited. It’s another opportunity to do something special for the country. The squad is in a good space — mentally and physically.”
With a clean slate and a fresh coaching regime under Gambhir, the team aims to carry forward the momentum from IPL 2025 into international cricket.
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