SMAT Final: Beyond Cricket for the Chinnaswamy Crowd

Bengaluru’s legendary traffic jams are as iconic as the city’s passion for cricket. Ask any resident, and they’ll warn you: never even think about driving near the Chinnaswamy Stadium during a cricket match—be it an IPL game, an India fixture, or even an RCB Women’s match. For most other domestic games, though, the scene is far quieter, with only the 2,416-seat P3 stand typically open to the public, often left far from full.

Bengaluru Traffic Meets Cricket Frenzy

Parking near Cubbon Park is usually a safe bet, but this day proved different. MG Road was a nightmare, with traffic crawling at a snail’s pace. It took a full hour to find a parking spot—an early sign that this evening wasn’t going to be as routine as expected. The second clue? Streams of fans racing toward the stadium, clearly eager to grab their seats.

Inside, the sight was startling: the P3 stand was packed, a rarity for domestic games. As the evening unfolded, the crowd only grew, prompting the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to open additional stands to accommodate the overwhelming 15,000 spectators who had come to witness the Mumbai vs. Madhya Pradesh final.

Rajat Patidar’s Heroics Ignite the Crowd

The star-studded game brought in some of the biggest names in cricket. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, every move on the field greeted with thunderous applause, was one of the key attractions. However, the loudest cheers were reserved for Bengaluru’s own Rajat Patidar, who faced a daunting challenge after Madhya Pradesh stumbled to 48/3 in the eighth over. Partnered by Venkatesh Iyer, the IPL 2025 auction’s top buy for Kolkata Knight Riders, the duo had their work cut out at 54/4.

Mumbai’s bowling had been inconsistent throughout the tournament, with an economy rate of 9.26—the worst of the season—but on this occasion, they delivered. Early breakthroughs and tight overs kept Madhya Pradesh in check, but Patidar steadily built his innings, timing his boundaries to perfection. The crowd erupted into chants of “RCB, RCB” each time he sent the ball racing to the boundary. Their frustration, however, was equally palpable when a controversial decision went against Venkatesh.

By the 13th over, Madhya Pradesh teetered at 86/5, with Patidar standing firm at 18 off 13. What followed was a masterclass in batting. Patidar unleashed a flurry of sixes and fours, eventually remaining unbeaten on 82 off 40 balls, hitting six sixes and six fours. A dramatic reversal of a no-ball decision in the penultimate over left the crowd fuming, but a wide call in the final over allowed Patidar one more shot—and he didn’t disappoint, smashing a six to cap off his scintillating innings.

The crowd’s loyalty wasn’t limited to Madhya Pradesh, though. They roared just as loudly for Mumbai’s big hitters, including Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav, whose towering sixes lit up the chase. When Suryakumar departed, the stadium erupted, celebrating the pivotal wicket with deafening chants of “RCB, RCB.”

Mumbai’s Triumph Amid Electrifying Atmosphere

One of the night’s most thrilling moments came from Mumbai’s young star, Suryansh Shedge. The 21-year-old’s explosive cameo turned the tide in Mumbai’s favour, with the crowd, regardless of allegiances, cheering his every move. His heroics ultimately guided Mumbai to their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Reflecting on the night, Mumbai captain Shreyas Iyer marvelled at the energy of the Bengaluru crowd. 

"Whenever we come and play at Chinnaswamy, the crowd is electrifying. The way they came in numbers it was out of this world. I wasn't expecting," said Mumbai skipper Shreyas. "I saw one stand, it was fully crowded at the start of the first over. But then later on in the mid-game, once it started breaking up, they were going bonkers seriously."

"And yeah they supported us as well. It's not that it was only one way. But at the end of the day, we all know how much RCB lovers like to come out in numbers and support their players," Shreyas added.

The final at Chinnaswamy Stadium was more than a cricket match—it was an unforgettable celebration of the sport. Fans cheered, gasped, and protested in unison, proving that cricket is the ultimate winner. As the night ended, those in attendance carried home memories to cherish—and the inevitable challenge of navigating Bengaluru’s notorious traffic once again.