Bengaluru: Last after ten months Indian Premier League Match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, cricket returned to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s home turf on Saturday with renewed vigor – and a rematch of the matchday experience for fans.Yet, amid the buzz, memories of last year’s tragedy linger. The 11 seats dedicated to those who lost their lives during RCB’s victory celebrations stood apart – enclosed within a picket fence and decorated with floral motifs on a white background – a calm reminder in the charged atmosphere.Outside the stadium, the activities began early. After the gates opened at around 3.30pm, the spectators began to pour in, many arriving early to navigate the revamped entry system without any last-minute hassles.The excitement was not limited to local fans. Curtis P., an Infosys employee from Florida, was among a group of five colleagues from across the US who planned their visit around the match.“I am a huge cricket fan and have been coming to India for some time to watch the games. We had a work trip and timed it to coincide with this match,” Curtis said.For many regulars, the changes turned into a seamless experience. Vishwanath Reddy, a retired army officer and long-time attendee, was impressed.“In more than three decades, this was possibly the easiest entry experience for us. The police ensured that only valid ticket holders were allowed near the gate and kept people moving instead of letting the crowd grow. I hope this becomes the norm,” he said.However, not everyone had a smooth start. For some, unfamiliarity with the latest security protocols hurt.Vinya V, who came with her daughter Moira, found the restrictions frustrating. “We were not aware that digital watches were not allowed. We had to walk quite a distance to collect it at the baggage counter and then go back,” he said.RCB fan Santosh Udupa had a similar experience. “When they said I couldn’t take my keys, I got caught,” he said. After some discussion they allowed me to hand over my house keys but I had to surrender my car keys because of the sensors.Many others, who ignored the fine print on prohibited items, were seen interacting with security personnel after being stopped from carrying items such as bags, perfumes and cosmetics.Despite these minor hiccups, the overall arrangement improved significantly. Over 2,000 personnel – including city police, CCB, traffic and civil defense personnel – were deployed to manage the crowd.The mock drills conducted over the past 10 days appear to have been fruitful, with entry points functioning largely without a hitch and security personnel ensuring that there is no commotion around the stadium premises. With largely smooth access via Cubbon Road, Queen’s Road was free of its usual matchday crowds.Before the start of the game, the packed stadium stopped to pay their respects to the victims. Both teams and fans observed a minute’s silence, while the message “Forever in our hearts” was displayed on big screens – a moment of collective remembrance before cricket took center stage.See also: IPL Score
