Has Virat Kohli gone to London? Netizens blast Rohit Sharma & MS Dhoni fans for using stampede tragedy to target RCB
On the morning of June 5, a video showed Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma at Mumbai airport. Many fans of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni on X (formerly Twitter)¡ªbegan circulating the claim that the couple had left for London.
The streets around Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was packed with jubilant fans cheering for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) historic Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 win, descended into chaos. A stampede occurred that saw 11 people tragically losing their lives due to suffocation, while over 30 were seriously injured. Amid the grief, controversy erupted online¡ªfueled not just by the tragedy itself, but also by the rumoured departure of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma to 'London'.
RCB had clinched their first-ever IPL title on June 3, and their franchise city organised a grand victory parade the next day to honour the team. Thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium, but poor crowd control quickly turned the celebration into a nightmare. People were pushed, trampled, and crushed in the stampede. The tragedy shocked the nation and cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a historic moment for the franchise.
? RCB Victory Parade: Today at 5 pm IST. ??
¡ª Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 4, 2025
Victory Parade will be followed by celebrations at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
We request all fans to follow guidelines set by police and other authorities, so that everyone can enjoy the roadshow peacefully.
Free passes (limited¡ pic.twitter.com/raJMXlop5O
Comparisons to the Pushpa 2 incident
In the aftermath, comparisons were quickly drawn to a similar incident earlier this year. During the premiere of Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2, a stampede led to the tragic death of a woman, and the actor was subsequently summoned by police for questioning.
In the case of RCB, the response has been more formal. The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR against the RCB franchise, DNA Entertainment Networks, and the KSCA Administrative Committee in connection with the stampede that claimed 11 lives. Registered at Cubbon Park Police Station, the FIR cites criminal negligence on the part of the organisers.
RCB issued an official statement saying: "We have learned through media reports that large crowds gathered at several places in Bengaluru during the team's arrival, leading to tragic incidents. We are deeply saddened and stand with the families of the victims."
???????? ?????????: ????? ??????????? ?????????
¡ª Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 5, 2025
The unfortunate incident in Bengaluru yesterday has caused a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family. As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial¡ pic.twitter.com/C50WID1FEI
Virat Kohli reposted the statement on Instagram, adding, "No words, heartbroken." But it wasn't the emotional tribute that trended¡ªit was a video of Kohli and Anushka at Mumbai airport that took over social media discourse.
Did Virat and Anushka leave for London?
On the morning of June 5, ANI shared a video showing Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma at Mumbai airport. Virat was dressed in a white shirt and jeans with a cap, while Anushka wore a black t-shirt and jeans. The video was shot at the arrival section of the airport, clearly showing the couple had just landed.
Despite this, fans¡ªparticularly the supporters of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni on X (formerly Twitter)¡ªbegan circulating the claim that the couple had left for London, using the misinformation to stir controversy amid an already sensitive moment.
- RCB won trophy on 3rd june.
¡ª ` (@45Fan_Prathmesh) June 5, 2025
- Parade was arranged on 4th june.
- Virat Kohli flew to London on June 5.
Now we know who urged RCB to quickly arrange a victory parade - because someone had to go to London. ?? pic.twitter.com/PkvTkhEWPs
- No compensation from his side
¡ª Gillfied? (@Gill_Iss) June 5, 2025
- Didn't meet to victims' family
- Posted a single twt and went to london
"Virat Kohli Is The Most Vile Cricketer Ever"
- Do max rts and cmts to trend this tagline?#ArrestKohli
pic.twitter.com/WJFPC6XzCt
Netizens who recognised the video as an arrival clip were quick to condemn the false narrative. Many called out the insensitivity of using a tragedy for online fan wars, especially targeting players uninvolved in the incident.
One said, "Kohli did the right thing by not revealing the face of his kids and moving to the London, this country never deserved him."
Kohli did the right thing by not revealing the face of his kids and moving to the london, this country never deserved him. pic.twitter.com/G5OiiLlv2G
¡ª Kevin (@imkevin149) June 5, 2025
Another wrote, "This is insane PR going against Virat Kohli right now. He arrived in Mumbai from Bengaluru but many accounts are posting that he has left for London. Report these accounts."
This is insane PR going against Virat Kohli right now. He arrived in Mumbai from Bengaluru but many accounts are posting that he has left for London. Report these accounts pic.twitter.com/k3aaU8Msp7
¡ª RCBXTRA (@RCBXTRAOFFICIA) June 5, 2025
One added, "No one blamed Messi and the Argentina team for this, but there are uneducated, shameless TRP and reach seekers targeting Virat Kohli and RCB for the Bengaluru tragedy.
No one blamed Messi and the Argentina team for this, but there are uneducated, shameless TRP and reach seekers targeting Virat Kohli and RCB for the Bengaluru tragedy.
¡ª ' (@viratkohli_un) June 5, 2025
Virat Kohli should retire as soon as possible and live in London with his family permanently. pic.twitter.com/XNYEdWfNVe
The misplaced outrage only added to the emotional toll of the incident, further highlighting the toxic side of online fandoms.
Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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