Namma metro

The Karnataka State Cricket Association: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have expressed gratitude towards the authorities and the state government after the smooth conduct of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener played at their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday.

This was the first big match held at the ground after the drastic incident occurred on June 4, 2025, when eleven lives were lost after a stampede due to thousands of fans gathering outside the ground to celebrate RCB's maiden IPL title win.

"RCB sincerely and wholeheartedly thanks the Karnataka State Government, Bengaluru City Police, Greater Bengaluru Authority, Public Works Department, Fire Department and Namma Metro for enabling the smooth conduct of our home game in Bengaluru last night," RCB wrote on X.