Bengaluru, 17 April (H.S.): Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will step onto the pitch in their iconic “green jersey” when they take on Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, turning the IPL clash into a symbolic “game for the planet.”

The green kit, crafted from recycled materials, is part of RCB’s long‑running ‘Go Green’ initiative, launched in 2011, and underlines the franchise’s pledge to environmental protection and sustainable sport.

The special‑edition green jersey is made entirely from recycled fabric, following the team’s broader “green” philosophy that has helped RCB become the world’s only carbon‑neutral T20 franchise. The franchise is now working toward carbon‑positive status, effectively aiming to absorb more carbon than it emits across its operations.

RCB chief executive officer Rajesh Menon said the carbon‑neutral milestone is the result of years of sustained effort, and the green jersey is a visible emblem of that commitment. He added that the initiative is also intended to inspire fans and partners to adopt more responsible environmental behaviour, from reducing waste to making consciously sustainable lifestyle choices.

The club is systematically studying spectators’ match‑day behaviour, including modes of travel, ride‑sharing patterns, and per‑fan carbon emissions, through in‑stadium surveys.

Based on this data, RCB is encouraging supporters to shift towards public transport and shared rides, and is even integrating free or subsidised Bengaluru Metro rides with select match‑day ticket offers to lower the environmental footprint of attending games.

At the stadium itself, waste‑management systems have been strengthened, with a strong focus on segregation, recycling, and vigilant monitoring of waste flows.

The Chinnaswamy complex is also ramping up the use of solar‑powered lighting, energy‑efficient fixtures, and other conservation measures to cut electricity demand and reduce overall carbon emissions.

Beyond the one‑off green jersey game, RCB is conducting detailed assessments of its team‑travel, accommodation, and energy‑consumption–related carbon footprint across the entire IPL season. Match‑day sustainability audits will be carried out on key fixtures, including the IPL 2026 campaign, and the findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report that feeds back into the franchise’s future green strategies.

By pairing high‑voltage cricket with visible environmental stewardship, RCB hopes to set a benchmark for climate‑conscious fan engagement and sustainable sports entertainment in India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar