Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, are set to make an equally bold statement off the field when they take on Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026. As part of their longstanding “Green Initiative,” RCB will don their signature green playing kit for the occasion, highlighting their push for sustainability.
Designed entirely using recycled materials, the jerseys are intended to be more than a one-off visual change. They represent a wider, embedded commitment to environmental responsibility. In an official release, the franchise stated it remains the only carbon-neutral T20 team in the world, pointing to the scale of its long-term work.
RCB launched the “Go Green” programme in 2011 with the aim of boosting awareness around sustainability and encouraging a cleaner planet. Each season, the franchise makes the switch from its iconic red to green for one home match. Their first appearance in the green strip came on 8 May 2011 against the Kochi Tuskers Kerala, a game RCB won by 9 wickets.
The most widely remembered outing in the kit arrived in 2016 versus Gujarat Lions. In that match, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers both converted their starts into centuries within the same innings, helping RCB register a record 144-run win.
In IPL 2021, the club briefly moved away from the green uniform and wore a blue kit to pay tribute to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rajesh Menon, the CEO of RCB, explained the thinking behind the achievement, saying, “Reaching carbon-neutral status as a T20 franchise is the outcome of years of consistent effort. The green jerseys stand as a reflection of that dedication, and we want this initiative to encourage our supporters and partners to adopt more responsible and sustainable ways of working.”
On the field, RCB’s message has been backed by strong performances. They have started IPL 2026 impressively, winning four of their first five matches, with their only loss coming against Rajasthan Royals. Sitting second in the points standings, they enter this contest with plenty of momentum and confidence.
Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, have had a roller-coaster campaign so far. After beginning the tournament with back-to-back wins, they slipped into a run of inconsistency, losing consecutive matches and currently occupying fifth place, still searching for the stability needed to climb the table.
Toss Update: RCB vs DC, Bengaluru
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at their home venue, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Playing XIs and Impact Subs
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.
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.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal.
Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana.
