The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is awash with a distinct shade of emerald this Saturday. In the 26th match of the IPL 2026 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are hosting the Delhi Capitals (DC) in a high-stakes afternoon encounter. While the cricketing world expects the usual Red and Gold, the home side has swapped their traditional colours for a striking green kit, a move that has become a cornerstone of the franchise’s identity beyond the boundary ropes.
Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru switched from their traditional kit against DC?
The decision to ditch the red jersey for today’s clash is part of RCB’s iconic ‘Go Green Initiative,’ a tradition that the franchise has proudly upheld since 2011. These special jerseys are not just a fashion statement; they are crafted from 100% recycled waste, serving as a tangible symbol of the team’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru remains the only carbon-neutral T20 franchise in the world.
The initiative aims to raise global awareness about climate change and environmental protection. According to Rajesh Menon, CEO of RCB, achieving carbon-neutral status is the result of over a decade of structured work focusing on measurement and accountability. “The green jerseys reflect this commitment, and we hope this initiative inspires our fans to embrace more responsible practices,” Menon stated.
Beyond the kit, RCB’s green mission extends to stadium operations. The franchise conducts thorough audits of fan travel patterns and carbon emissions per spectator. To combat this, match tickets now double as passes for the Bengaluru Metro, encouraging fans to leave their cars behind. At the stadium level, the team employs solar-powered lighting and rigorous waste segregation systems. Today’s match is more than just a game; it is a platform for the carbon-positive future RCB is actively building.
Playing XIs and impact substitutes of both teams
At the toss, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel elected to bowl first, citing the Chinnaswamy’s reputation as a premier chasing ground. RCB captain Rajat Patidar expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the team was keen to set a target while donning their sustainability-themed colours.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood.
Impact Substitutes: Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal.
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact Substitutes: Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana.
