Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take the field in their signature green kit for their IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. The appearance is part of the franchise’s “Green Initiative,” rolled out every season as a visible push toward sustainability. RCB’s jersey is made using recycled materials and is meant to underline the club’s long-term environmental commitment.
RCB says it is the only carbon-neutral T20 franchise in the world. The programme, first introduced in 2011, is designed to weave sustainability into everyday operations through a structured approach that includes tracking, accountability, and involvement from supporters. The end goal, the franchise says, is to move beyond carbon neutral and work toward becoming carbon positive.
Quick facts
- Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals (IPL 2026)
- Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Date: Saturday
- Theme: RCB wearing green jersey under the “Green Initiative”
- Jersey detail: Made from recycled materials
- Claim: RCB says it is the only carbon-neutral T20 franchise globally
- Programme start: Green Initiative launched in 2011
- Toss: RCB captain Rajat Patidar loses the toss and DC asks RCB to bat first
- Team news: Both sides retain unchanged playing XIs
On-field, the captaincy call shaped the opening phase after Rajat Patidar won the right to captain but lost the toss. DC elected to invite RCB to bat first, and Patidar said the decision aligns with how his team planned to approach the match. He described the conditions as a good surface for batting, especially with it being a day game.
Patidar added that his side expects to post a competitive total and then put pressure on the opposition. He also linked the green jersey to the message the franchise wants to send beyond cricket—wearing it as a reminder of sustainability and a prompt for everyone to make more environmentally friendly choices.
DC captain’s toss call
After winning the toss, DC captain Axar Patel said he will bowl first. Patel pointed to the pitch looking “nice and hard,” and suggested that, because it is a day match, the wicket could play slightly slower than night games. He also noted that Chinnaswamy has often been a ground where teams chase successfully, which is why DC chose to field first.
Patel confirmed that DC go into the match with the same XI. He also reflected on the team’s recent run, saying that while a win would make the break a problem, having lost their previous two matches meant the rest helped them regroup. With the squad back together, he said DC are aiming to start with fresh momentum while sticking to their own plans as they assess RCB.
