Stampede-like situation at Jharkhand Premier League final leaves several injured in Ranchi

A stampede-like situation broke out at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium in Ranchi on Tuesday, 23 June, during the final of the Jharkhand Premier League (JPL), leaving four to five spectators injured and prompting police reinforcements and an official administrative probe.

According to Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan, the immediate cause was straightforward — only one gate had been opened for public entry. The large crowd that had gathered for the final created overwhelming pressure at that single point, and the slow pace of security frisking made the situation worse.

"Only one gate was open for public entry, which caused a sudden surge in the crowd. The slow pace of security frisking led to significant pressure from the public outside, and the crowd became unruly for a brief period. We stepped in and brought the situation under control," SSP Ranjan said as quoted by Deccan Chronicle.

Eyewitnesses described a more chaotic picture. Some fans allegedly attempted to climb the boundary walls and scale entry gates to force their way inside. The situation escalated when the crowd broke through the west gate and smashed security barricades. Police rushed to the breach with reinforcements and eventually pushed the crowd back.

Three spectators, a man and two young women, sustained severe injuries in the crush and were taken to Raj Hospital in Ranchi for treatment. The SSP confirmed that four to five people in total were injured. Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said ambulances were rushed to the venue and hospitals were alerted immediately.

"As soon as reports came in of some people being injured during the final T20 match of the Jharkhand Premier League at JSCA Stadium, I have immediately activated the Health Department. There is no need to panic, arrangements are being ensured for the proper treatment of all the injured," Ansari said in a post on X.

The incident drew immediate comparisons to last year's tragedy outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where 11 people were killed and several others injured in a crowd crush following RCB's maiden IPL title win. That incident led to a nine-month ban on cricket at the venue after the Justice D'Cunha Commission found the stadium unsafe for large gatherings. The KSCA was among the bodies held accountable, with criminal cases filed against it, RCB, and event organiser DNA Entertainment.

Fortunately, Ranchi did not witness fatalities on Tuesday. The district administration has launched an official probe to identify the reasons for the security breach and prevent a repeat.

On the field, the JPL final produced a commanding result. Chota Nagpur Royals beat Jamshedpur Steelers by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining to win the inaugural edition of the tournament. Kumar Kushagra was the standout performer, hitting an unbeaten 78 off 39 balls to lead the chase of 181 with ease.