Players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wore black armbands during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season-opening match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28, as a mark of respect.
The gesture was in memory of the 11 fans who lost their lives in a tragic stampede outside the stadium during RCB’s title celebrations last year. In tribute, players also warmed up wearing jerseys featuring the number 11. Additionally, 11 seats in the stadium have been permanently reserved in honour of the victims. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also unveiled a memorial at the venue to commemorate them.
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Before the start of the match, players from both teams, along with spectators, observed a one-minute silence. The reserved seats will remain unsold for all matches, including international fixtures, and are expected to be located together in a designated area as a lasting mark of respect.
“In memory of the 11 fans who we lost on June 4, the players will be wearing jersey number 11 for the practice, on the game day, on the practice time before the match. So all the players will have jersey number 11 on the back, not for the game but for the practice,” said RCB CEO Rajesh Menon.
“Apart from that, they will be also wearing a black armband on that day. We are also looking at having 11 permanent seats empty in Chinnaswamy Stadium forever. This is for the 11 fans who will be with us forever. That’s a quick update on what we are doing this year,” he added.
In the season opener, Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and opted to bowl first. As the defending champions, having secured their maiden IPL title in 2025, RCB will be eager to start their campaign on a strong note. They will be aiming not only to defend their crown but also to add another trophy to their cabinet with a confident performance this season.
