Rohit announced his retirement from T20 internationals after leading the team to their second World Cup victory in the shortest format, describing it as the perfect time to bid adieu. Rohit joined his longtime teammate Virat Kohli, who also retired from T20Is minutes after India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final. Rohit, who will continue to play in ODIs and Tests, concluded his T20I career with 4,231 runs from 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 fifties.

Less than 24 hours later, preacher Bhole Baba, at whose ‘satsang’ the stampede took place, issued his first statement saying he is “extremely pained” by the deadly incident on July 2, which claimed 121 lives

Self-proclaimed godman Surajpal Singh ‘Bhole Baba’ from his Mainpuri ashram urged support for the bereaved families and injured, vowing those responsible for the chaos would not escape justice. Police presence intensified outside the ashram, with officials silent on his whereabouts. Singh, through his lawyer AP Singh, appealed for solidarity and assistance for the affected, following the tragic incident on July 2. He is currently in his Mainpuri ashram where a large number of police has been deployed.