Bengaluru: The Karnataka government will felicitate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team at the Vidhana Soudha premises on Wednesday afternoon, but there will be no victory parade or open vehicle procession, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara clarified.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Parameshwara said the event is being held to honour the RCB team for their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win. "On behalf of the Government of Karnataka and the people of the state, we are felicitating RCB," he said.
The felicitation ceremony will take place on the front lawns of Vidhana Soudha, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah scheduled to personally congratulate the players. "All RCB players will arrive at Vidhana Soudha in a bus. There will be no open-vehicle parade or public procession," Dr Parameshwara confirmed, citing security concerns.
"After the ceremony, the team will return to the stadium in the same bus. The decision has been made in consultation with IPS officers and RCB representatives, keeping in mind traffic and public safety," he added.
The minister further stated that all traffic and security arrangements are being overseen by the state police and traffic management authorities to ensure smooth execution of the event and safe transit of the players.
Earlier, the team management had planned an open-bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium, scheduled to take place between 4 pm and 6 pm.
As for further honours or awards, a decision will be taken after consultations with Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, the team has already arrived in the city and were welcomed at the HAL Airport. The IPL title marks the end of an 18-year wait for RCB fans, and the city has erupted in celebrations since the final win over Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
RCB’s campaign in IPL 2025 saw a late surge after a shaky start. Sparkling performances from Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt, and Kohli himself propelled them to the playoffs, before a memorable final saw the team defend 190 in high-pressure circumstances, with Josh Hazlewood holding his nerve at the death.
Patidar, who led the side in parts of the season, was the top-scorer in the final, while Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya played pivotal roles with the ball.
Tuesday night celebrations had already turned the city into a festival zone. Indiranagar, Brigade Road, Koramangala, and Church Street witnessed fans dancing on the streets, setting off fireworks, waving giant flags, and chanting “Ee Sala Cup Namde” (This year, the cup is ours) — the slogan that had become a rallying cry over the years.
Pubs, bars, and cafes with live screenings turned into spontaneous victory zones. In viral footage shared online, strangers were seen hugging, crying, and celebrating with drumbeats and dhols. Traffic came to a standstill in many areas as fans poured onto roads on bikes, in cars, and on foot.