As the Women's Premier League (WPL) prepares for its fourth season, a major shake-up could be on the cards with the possible return of a mega auction in 2026. This move, reminiscent of the men’s IPL format, could see teams rebuilding their squads almost from scratch, retaining only a select few players while the rest return to the auction pool.

While the final rules regarding the number of retentions, auction purse, and right-to-match (RTM) cards are yet to be confirmed, every franchise will be strategizing carefully. For Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who finally tasted glory in the WPL, identifying their core group will be crucial to maintaining balance and momentum.

Here’s a look at five players RCB must retain ahead of the WPL 2026 auction.

1. Smriti Mandhana

An obvious choice, Smriti Mandhana remains the heartbeat of RCB. As captain and opener, she has led from the front with consistent performances and smart leadership. Her evolution as a batter and her ability to anchor or accelerate depending on the situation make her indispensable.

Having guided RCB to their maiden WPL title and continuing to shine at the international level, Mandhana embodies what the franchise stands for class, composure, and consistency. There’s no question that RCB will build their next cycle around her.

2. Richa Ghosh

Dynamic, fearless, and efficient, Richa Ghosh is one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in the country. At just 22, she has already proven her worth in crunch situations, whether it’s finishing innings with power or keeping her cool behind the stumps.

Given the scarcity of high-quality Indian wicketkeepers in the women’s circuit, letting Ghosh go would be a huge risk. Her maturity and composure have made her an invaluable part of RCB’s middle order, and she is undoubtedly a long-term investment.

3. Ellyse Perry

When it comes to reliability and impact, Ellyse Perry is in a league of her own. A proven match-winner across formats, Perry has been the backbone of RCB’s batting order, combining elegance with consistency.

She was RCB’s top run-scorer and the second-highest overall in one of the earlier editions, averaging close to 65 with a healthy strike rate. Her performances in other leagues, like the WBBL and The Hundred, have shown she still has plenty to offer. RCB will know that replacing someone of Perry’s calibre from the auction pool would be almost impossible.

ALSO SEE: Delhi High Court dismisses PIL against BCCI using ‘Team India’ name

4. Sophie Molineux

Versatile and tactical, Sophie Molineux adds immense value as a left-arm spinner and lower-order batter. Her absence due to injury was a major blow for RCB in 2025, especially after her key role in their championship-winning 2024 campaign.

Recently, Molineux has continued to impress on the global stage, helping the Melbourne Renegades clinch the BBL 2024-25 title and delivering standout performances in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup. Her ability to deliver breakthroughs and contribute with the bat makes her one of the smartest retentions RCB could make.

5. Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil’s rise has been one of RCB’s biggest success stories. The leading wicket-taker in the WPL 2024, she quickly established herself as one of India’s most exciting young spinners before injuries sidelined her in 2025.

Now back in action after featuring in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Shreyanka is seen as a key piece in RCB’s future plans. Her blend of wicket-taking ability, energy, and aggression makes her a player around whom RCB can build their spin attack for years to come.

Honourable Mentions:

• Georgia Wareham – Reliable leg-spinner and handy lower-order hitter.
• Sneh Rana – Experienced Indian all-rounder with leadership traits.
• Renuka Singh Thakur – Proven new-ball bowler capable of early breakthroughs.

Final Thoughts

With a potential mega auction on the horizon, Royal Challengers Bangalore face the tough task of balancing experience and youth. However, retaining the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, and Shreyanka Patil would give them a stable and formidable core, one that can ensure sustained success and possibly more silverware in the seasons to come.

There is no escaping that the Kantara fever is back, and it is larger than life. Kantara: Chapter 1 has had the internet abuzz once more, with fans, filmmakers, and critics all praising the same. The earthy narrative of the film, grounded in Karnataka traditions, has won over audiences in India.

Even cricket’s calm and composed star, KL Rahul, has joined the fan club. Taking to his Instagram story, the stylish Indian batter couldn’t stop himself from praising Rishab Shetty’s masterpiece. “Just watched Kantara. Blown away by the magic @rishabshettyofficial has created yet again. All heart and beautifully represents the people and belief of Mangaluru,” KL wrote.

Rahul’s love for Kantara isn’t new. In IPL 2025, his celebrations against Royal Challengers Bengaluru provided glimpses of how the movie had seeped deep inside him. After the game ended with a six off Yash Dayal, Rahul took off his helmet, banged it onto the grass, and drew a circle with it, claiming his territory Kantara-style. A chest thump and a point to the ground made it clear: Chinnaswamy Stadium was still his den.

Kantara-Inspired Celebration and On-Field Brilliance

Rahul later explained the reason behind his celebration in a Delhi Capitals video. “This is a special place for me. This celebration was from one of my favourite movies, Kantara. So, a tiny reminder that this ground, this turf, this place where I grew up, is mine,” he said. The video went viral and turned Rahul’s Kantara-inspired celebration into one of the most talked-about moments of the IPL season.

KL RAHUL Instagram story on #KantaraChapter1 pic.twitter.com/JLSD6DK63f

— Santoshvk18 (@269signofff) October 6, 2025

See Also: MCC breaks silence over Muneeba Ali’s run-out in IND vs PAK Women’s World Cup 2025 match

Off the field, it is Kantara. On the field, it is pure class. Rahul has been in cracking form lately. After piling up 532 runs in 10 innings during India’s 2-2 Test series draw in England, he carried that momentum into the Test series against the West Indies. In the first Test, the right-hander scored a brilliant 100 off 197 balls, setting up India’s innings-and-140-run win. Now, with form, confidence, and a bit of Kantara energy behind him, Rahul will be eager to script another special chapter as the second Test begins on October 10 at Delhi, his IPL franchise’s home turf.

In what comes as a major relief for Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Yash Dayal, the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday stayed his arrest in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly exploiting a woman over a five-year period. The FIR was registered on July 6 at the Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means.

A bench comprising Justice Siddharth Varma and Anil Kumar heard the plea and granted a stay on the pacer’s arrest until the next date of listing. Yash Dayal had approached the court seeking protection from arrest after the complaint was filed. During the hearing, the bench questioned the woman’s allegations, remarking, “You could have been fooled for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days…but 5 years…you are entering into a relationship for 5 years…one can’t be fooled for 5 years.”

According to the woman, she and Yash met around five years ago, and he allegedly promised to marry her. She claimed that he kept delaying marriage while being involved with other women. Legal counsel Gopal Swaroop Chaturvedi, assisted by Gaurav Tripathi and Raghuvansh Mishra, appeared for Yash in the matter.

Yash Dayal Files Counter Complaint

In a parallel development, Yash Dayal has filed a complaint with the Prayagraj police, seeking an FIR against the same woman. He approached the Khuldabad police station, accusing her of theft and alleging she stole his iPhone and laptop. According to a report by NDTV, Yash stated that he first came in contact with her via Instagram four years ago.

See Also: 'We Never Told Them to Retire' – BCCI vice president drops big statement on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli exit

Yash further alleged that the woman borrowed lakhs of rupees from him, citing medical emergencies involving herself and her family. He claimed that she promised to repay the amount but failed to do so, prompting him to take legal action.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has recorded a huge 12.9% increase in enterprise value to US$18.5 billion in 2025, according to Houlihan Lokey's recent IPL Brand Valuation Study. The standalone brand value of the league also went up by 13.8% to US$3.9 billion, solidifying its status as one of the world's most valuable and impactful sports leagues.

This sustained growth finds expression in commercial success too. The sale of four associate-sponsor places by the BCCI — My11Circle, Angel One, RuPay, and CEAT—amounted to ₹1,485 crore, a 25% rise over the earlier cycle. The Tata Group also extended its title sponsorship of the IPL until 2028 under a US$300 million (₹2,500 crore) deal.

RCB Shoots Up to Number One, CSK Falls to Third

In a wide-scale overhaul of franchise brand values, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was the top-ranked franchise with a brand value of US$269 million, an increase from US$227 million the previous year. RCB's upsurge came on the back of their record first title victory in 2025, ending a 17-year drought. Leadership change by the team—to appoint Rajat Patidar as captain while holding on to Virat Kohli in a significant batting position—proved to be the turning point in finding a balance between renewal and continuity.

Mumbai Indians went up to the second spot with a brand value of US$242 million. Their stability and strategic realignment, such as Rohit Sharma taking on the new role of an impact player, ensured their brand strength remained intact. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) dropped to third at US$235 million following a poor season, despite the presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was back as skipper after Ruturaj Gaikwad suffered a mid-season injury.

Punjab Kings (PBKS), the runners-up, had the strongest year-over-year brand growth at 39.6%, fueled by their run to the finals with new captain Shreyas Iyer. Lucknow Super Giants trailed more than 34% growth.

Record-Breaking Viewership and Media Success

IPL 2025 broke viewership records on both digital and television platforms. JioHotstar attracted 1,370 million views in the first weekend, March 22–24, with year-on-year growth of 35%, 340 million peak concurrent users, and 21,860 million minutes watched. Star Sports had 253 million TV views, up 14%, adding up to a total watch time of 49,560 million minutes.

RCB versus PBKS was the most-viewed final in IPL history, with more than 678 million views on JioHotstar—more than even India vs. Pakistan during the ICC Championship this year.

See Also: 'Correct Decision in Law' - MCC breaks silence on Joe Root’s dismissal in ENG vs IND Test

Expert Views on IPL's Financial Ecosystem

"The IPL continues to raise the bar in sports business. Franchise valuations have gone through the roof, media rights transactions have hit all-time highs, and brand sponsorships have expanded into diversified industries," added Harsh Talikoti, Director at Houlihan Lokey. “The league’s ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal. In summary, the IPL represents a high-yield multi-asset class with diversified risks and a catalyst for cricket’s global transformation.”

Talikoti emphasized that IPL’s blueprint—supported by OTT penetration, multi-generational youth audiences, international awareness, and growth through new leagues and franchisees—is molding the future of cricket globally.

Satish Menon, CEO of Punjab Kings, concurred:

“From day one, we saw IPL as more than a cricket league. It was a scalable business model with high visibility, secure revenue streams, and strong brand-building potential. It was a heady mix of sports and entertainment, which eventually had the potential to deliver huge audiences and revenues.”

He added, “We now operate with the mindset of a media-sport brand with multiple revenue verticals, not just a cricket team. That’s where real profitability lies. Over time, we have built a sustainable sports business that spans multiple leagues, drives platform-level content, attracts global brands, and creates IPs that outlast a season.”

See Also: 'You've Got To Play Him' - Former England bowler urges inclusion of Jofra Archer for Lord's Test

Franchise Rankings and Outlook

• RCB – US$269M (1st): Brand and business success topped by 2025 title triumph.
  
• MI – US$242M (2nd): Strategic evolution keeps brand relevant.
  
• CSK – US$235M (3rd): Transitional season despite Dhoni’s presence.
  
• KKR – US$227M (4th): Decline in brand momentum post Shreyas Iyer’s exit.
  
• SRH – US$154M (5th): Inconsistency offset a star-studded lineup.
  
• DC – US$152M (6th): Stable mid-table brand performance.
  
• RR – US$146M (7th): Youth focus boosted fan interest.
  
• GT – US$142M (8th): Slight dip post initial success years.
  
• PBKS – US$141M (9th): Highest YoY growth with finals appearance.
• LSG – US$122M (10th): Strong growth following brand-building initiatives.
  

Houlihan Lokey's Corporate Valuation Advisory Services continues to counsel stakeholders in M&A, tax planning, and financial reporting, with the IPL's growth being a marquee poster child for sports-business synergy.

Fresh allegations have emerged against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Yash Dayal, following earlier accusations made by a woman from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The woman had previously accused the 27-year-old cricketer of emotional, mental, and physical exploitation under the promise of marriage. In her latest claims, she has alleged that Dayal had multiple affairs during their four-and-a-half-year relationship and used his money, fame, and influence to try and cover up the matter.

"I stayed at Yash Dayal's house for 15 days. He even took me on a trip to Ooty. I have been at his home many times and have spent time with his family. Yash Dayal and his family kept raising hopes by giving assurance of marriage," the woman claimed, as reported by Dainik Bhaskar. She also stated that she has connected with another woman who said she was similarly deceived by Dayal.

The woman further alleged, "Yash Dayal has made attempts to manipulate the case with money, but I have full faith in the law. The police have said that Yash Dayal has been sent a notice." She revealed that another woman contacted her on April 17, 2025, and shared proof of Dayal being involved with multiple women, confirming her earlier doubts.

“I Left It to God, But Then His Family Spoke Badly,” Says Complainant

The complainant has claimed that she is aware of at least three other women with whom Dayal had affairs. "I could have walked away, but how would I know he was cheating? He never showed it. I left it to God, but when his family started speaking badly about me, I decided to take legal steps," she said.

See Also: Supreme court dismisses Lalit Modi's plea asking BCCI to pay ED penalty

"I had left him to God's mercy, but after that Yash Dayal and his family spoke very badly. There is a thing called self-respect in love, which girls lose. I am also fighting for the little girl to whom Yash Dayal did wrong. Yash Dayal is hiding; let him stay hidden. This is what his family and he have done," she added. On the cricket front, Dayal recently lifted the IPL 2025 title with RCB and was also part of India's Test squad in 2024.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended the 17-year wait for an IPL title on Tuesday (June 3), making history at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final of the IPL 2025. The win was a long-awaited breakthrough for the franchise, with several players coming on strong throughout the season.

But although the victory was theirs, not all members of their squad contributed meaningfully. Some players either did not convert their chances or did not even play, prompting very heavy speculation that RCB might let them go before the IPL 2026 auction, likely later this year or early next year.

1. Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lankan bowler Nuwan Thushara was retained for ₹1.5 crore in the 2025 IPL auction. He played only one match, against the Lucknow Super Giants, where he bowled tightly and took 1 wicket for 26 runs from his four-over spell. Although he performed well, Thushara was kept on the bench because of the availability of senior overseas pacers. RCB can consider releasing him to create space for more cricket-balanced bowling personnel.

2. Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi appeared in two games for RCB in IPL 2025 and took four wickets. But he leaked runs at a costly economy rate of 10.12 and was not available for the playoffs because of international commitments. Though his strike power is a plus point, his inconsistency and injury record are an area of concern. RCB might release him to accommodate more reliable overseas bowlers.

3. Blessing Muzarabani

Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani played not a single match in IPL 2025 even after being in the squad. His function was to be a seamer on call, but he was never given the opportunity because of a settled bowling attack. With no contribution and with experience being limited for him in high-pressure leagues, the chances of his retention are bleak. RCB can release him to look for more energetic backup possibilities.

4. Rasikh Dar

J&K pacer Rasikh Dar was purchased at ₹6 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He featured in two games—against KKR and GT—but didn't make a mark, taking just one wicket while giving away runs at a rate of more than 11 runs per over. After sitting out the remainder of the tournament, it was evident he wasn't part of RCB's major schemes. Given his hefty price tag, release now appears a certainty.

See Also: Big Breaking! CSK list for player releasing out ahead of IPL 2026

5. Swastik Chikara

Swastik Chikara sat on the bench for the entire duration of IPL 2025. The young left-hand hitter could not find a place in RCB's potent top and middle order, which included consistent performers. Having no match minutes and minimal contribution to the team dynamics, his retention does not make sense. RCB could let him go and sign a more experienced domestic player.

6. Swapnil Singh

Swapnil Singh, the veteran left-arm spinner, did not find a game in RCB's championship-winning 2025 season. Though his experience is worth the bench, the team banked more on all-rounders and aggressive spinners throughout the season. With fresh and younger spin talent rising, Swapnil's chances of being retained seem thin. He could be released prior to the next auction.

The 2025 IPL season was about more than just cricket. It gave fans unforgettable moments for winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru final their first-ever title and brought fans together like never before.

As per JioStar, the official broadcaster, fans watched the IPL for over 840 billion minutes across TV and digital platforms. More than one billion people tuned in during the season, showing how deeply the tournament connects with everyone.

The final between RCB and Punjab Kings broke all records and became the most-watched T20 match ever, with a massive 31.7 billion minutes of viewing. On TV, 169 million people watched the final, while digital platforms saw 892 million video views and a peak of 55 million people watching at the same time.

Digital viewership on JioHotstar went up by 29% compared to last year, with more fans choosing to watch on larger screens. Star Sports also recorded 456 billion minutes of live TV coverage the highest ever for an IPL season. Sanjog Gupta, CEO of Sports and Live Experiences at JioStar, said, “These amazing numbers show just how much fans love the IPL and how strong their connection to the game is.”

ALSO READ: No Kohli, No Root! Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton's shocking picks in India-England combined XI since 2000!

Twitter reactions after RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Final Becomes Most-Watched T20 Match Ever

RCB vs PBKS – IPL 2025 Final Sets Record as the Most-Watched T20 Match in Cricket History!!#AUSvIND #INDvAUS #RCB #PBKS #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/bCtBJzp0UJ

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) June 19, 2025

IPL 2025 FINAL BETWEEN RCB vs PBKS BECOMES THE MOST WATCHED T20 MATCH IN HISTORY pic.twitter.com/Tlc78S9AqH

— India Recap (@indiarecapnews) June 19, 2025

RECORD BREAKING IPL 2025 FINAL.

- RCB Vs Punjab Kings Final becomes the most watched T20 game. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JcLDOiS4T9

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 19, 2025

IPL-2025 ने तोड़े व्युअरशिप रिकॉर्ड, 840 बिलियन मिनट वॉचटाइम रहा

◆ पंजाब-बेंगलुरु फाइनल सबसे ज्यादा देखा जाने वाला टी-20 मैच बना

◆ पीक समय में 55 मिलियन दर्शकों के साथ नए रिकॉर्ड बनाया#IPL2025 #RCBvsPBKS | RCB vs PBKS pic.twitter.com/L39DCG850m

— News24 (@news24tvchannel) June 19, 2025

Cricketing History, Back-to-Back! 🏏🌍

2023 World Cup Final – India vs Australia
87.6 BILLION live viewing minutes! Most-watched ICC match EVER!

IPL 2025 Final – RCB vs Punjab Kings
Now the most-watched T20 game in history! Fans = UNSTOPPABLE! 🤯#WorldCup2023 #IPL2025… pic.twitter.com/ImA0MllrL0

— SportsTiger (@The_SportsTiger) June 19, 2025

🚨 IPL 2025 FINAL BETWEEN RCB vs PBKS BECOMES THE MOST WATCHED T20 MATCH IN HISTORY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fdhgGUDwJJ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 19, 2025

🚨 HISTORY IN IPL 2025 FINAL 🚨

- Jio Star confirms RCB Vs PBKS IPL 2025 Final is the Most watched T20 game in the History. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1bsslr3l4n

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 19, 2025

The year 2025 has witnessed some historic sporting events that have gone down in the record books, solely for being incredibly special. The year has been marked by teams bagging their first championship titles at an unprecedented level. Be it in cricket or football, the trend has remained consistent. In football, France's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defied all odds by winning their first UCL title in grand fashion. 

Speaking of cricket, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) achieved glory by earning their maiden IPL win by defeating PBKS in the IPL 2025 Final earlier in June. Subsequently, South Africa followed it up by ending their 27-year-long ICC title wait by winning the 2025 WTC Final against Australia by five wickets. It's certainly been a year of historic firsts that has delighted the fans worldwide.

So let us revisit those iconic moments to get inspired by their wonderful success stories.  

See also: CPL 2025: Trinbago Knight Riders announce their squad for the upcoming season

Top teams that secured their historic first title wins in 2025

⚽️ 🤝 🏏

2025 continues to deliver legendary sporting moments! 💫

And now, South Africa adds their name to this unforgettable year. 🏆#WTCFinal #WTC2025 #TembaBavuma #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/dJXGma9NlV

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) June 14, 2025

How 2025 has been historical in Cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL) – RCB’s 2025 IPL victory was more than a title. It represented resilience, brilliant team-building, clever tactics, and emotional closure for a fanbase that spanned nearly two decades. The franchise put an end to their 18-year-long title drought by outclassing PBKS in a high-voltage run chase by six runs. The city of Bengaluru switched to a “Red Carnival” mode as fans erupted in joy. They resorted to fireworks, chanting fans, and citywide celebrations to express their happiness. The famous “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” chant (“This time the cup is ours”) resonated throughout, transitioning from wishful hope to triumphant reality. A planned open-top parade and felicitation at Vidhana Soudha was planned to welcome the RCB heroes for the monumental achievements, but sadly, the event took a tragic turn as the crowd went out of control and a stampede-like situation ensued, which claimed the lives of 11 souls. 

South Africa (WTC Final 2025) - South Africa's triumphant journey to their first-ever WTC title in 2025 was a watershed moment for the Proteas. The Rainbow Nation was the first team to qualify for the WTC 2023-25 cycle. At the time, many experts argued their journey to the top summit was relatively straightforward as they did not really need to contend with high-quality Test sides. Facing the tournament favorites, Australia, in the final was their toughest Test challenge in recent times, given Australia's record in the ICC finals. After being blown away for 138 in the first innings, Temba and Markram rolled the tide back in their team's favour by defining a match-defining partnership which took South Africa over the line in a convincing fashion. It was Proteas’ first major ICC title since 1998, and the win was celebrated lavishly at the OR Tambo airport when the team touched down for the first time since their WTC triumph. 

How 2025 has been historical in Football

Paris Saint-Germain (UCL title) - Amidst an unprecedented transformative breakthrough, PSG conquered Europe’s toughest club competition. The stage was set at the Allianz Arena in Munich, and Inter Milan was the unfortunate team that saw itself on the receiving end. They received an anhailating 5–0 defeat which set the record for the biggest win in a Champions League final. Luis Enrique orchestrated a shift from star-led superstardom to cohesive, youthful team-building, completing a treble and becoming one of the few managers to win two Champions Leagues. Doué and Mayulu showcased PSG's focus on rising French talents, backed by Vitinha, Hakimi, and Kvaratskhelia. To celebrate the historic win, thousands of fans poured onto the pitch in celebration. However, widespread celebrations in Paris turned violent—500+ arrests, two deaths, and numerous injuries.

Popular singer Sonu Nigam ignited a raging online controversy with a mysterious X post after Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) long-awaited IPL 2025 victory. Nigam penned, "Jab se RCB IPL jeeti hai, tabse duniya mein kuch bhi achcha nahi ho raha hai!" —words that left people wondering if it was a light-hearted remark or a dark critique of the happenings in the wake of RCB's victory.

The remark, posted shortly after RCB won their inaugural IPL trophy on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, soon went viral. While some netizens interpreted it as a cheeky reference to RCB's sudden end to an 18-year title wait, others took it to be an indication of the tragedies that ensued, such as the June 4 stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in which 11 people died and more than 30 were injured, and the June 12 Air India crash near Ahmedabad when 265 people were killed.

Nigam, known for his outspoken nature, did not provide any clarification, adding to the ambiguity. His post became a lightning rod on X, sparking reactions ranging from amusement to outrage. While vague, the comment went viral—memes engulfed timelines, and the sentence trended for hours, attributing RCB's win to a string of bad luck mishaps.

Jabse RCB IPL jeeti hai tabse duniya mein kuch bhi achcha nahi ho raha hai!

— Sonu Nigam (@SonuNigamSingh) June 16, 2025

See Also: MLC 2025, Match 7: Texas Super Kings vs Seattle Orcas Full Match Highlights

People's Reactions to Nigam's Remark

Fans were particularly polarized. Some appreciated the dry humor of the post and interpreted it as a cultural representation of RCB's mythical "jinx," while others criticized the insensitivity, particularly in the wake of lives lost during victory celebrations. With Nigam remaining tight-lipped, the controversy hangs in the air—giving an unwelcome edge to what would otherwise have been an unrestrained moment of joy for RCB fans.

Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan, along with several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, shared their sorrow following the tragic crash of Air India just outside Ahmedabad on Thursday. The Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed at approximately 1:38 PM local time into the Meghani Nagar residential area just five minutes after takeoff and was headed to London. Disaster struck with approximately 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. Such news sent tremors around the country.

Social media went abuzz with pictures of thick plumes of smoke billowing from the wreckage area and a dire picture of the disastrous crash. Cricketers and teams took to the platforms to extend condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. Harbhajan Singh, in a heartfelt post on X, wrote, “I am utterly shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families who are enduring unimaginable pain and loss.”

Irfan Pathan, who is a Lok Sabha MP and former cricketer, also shared his condolences on X, writing, "Very shocked to hear about the #AirIndia Ahmedabad-London flight incident near Ahmedabad airport. Praying for the safety of all passengers and crew. And several IPL franchises, such as Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Chennai Super Kings, also released condolence messages online, emphasizing their thoughts are with those affected.

Official Response and Support

Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran responded to the tragedy, “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he wrote on X, noting that an emergency center and support group is established for those looking for information on the issues that arise from this incident.

I am utterly shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families who are enduring unimaginable pain and loss. In moments like these, words feel so inadequate, but I hope…

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 12, 2025

pic.twitter.com/lQwoW0W2l6

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 12, 2025

Very shocked to hear about the #AirIndia Ahmedabad-London flight incident near Ahmedabad airport. Praying for the safety of all passengers and crew. 🙏#PlaneCrash #Ahmedabad

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) June 12, 2025

Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew and the families impacted by the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash.
You are in our hearts and prayers.💔🙏

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 12, 2025

See Also: WATCH: KL Rahul's special message for Karun Nair ahead of ENG vs IND Test series

The crash, which marked the first hull loss of a Boeing 787, prompted swift action from authorities. Emergency services, including fire brigades and ambulances, were deployed, and Ahmedabad airport suspended operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has begun an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The crash occurred after the pilots sent a mayday call indicating a life-or-death emergency situation had developed.