Rajasthan Royals have announced that their home encounter versus Gujarat Titans on May 9 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium will mark the franchise’s “Pink Promise Match” for the 2026 season. The special fixture is positioned as a high-profile IPL event with a clear social purpose: using the reach of cricket to create long-term, measurable impact beyond the boundary.
What the “Pink Promise Match” represents
Now entering its third year, the Pink Promise Match—anchored by the Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF)—continues to build on the Royals’ broader community agenda around women-led transformation. A key visual element of the initiative is the team’s appearance in an all-pink jersey, which the franchise says symbolises its ongoing commitment to driving change that begins with women.
Over time, the programme has grown into a platform designed to turn cricket’s popularity into real outcomes on the ground. The initiative is built around the belief: “Aurat Hai Toh Bharat Hai.”
Jersey design: from grassroots participation to a story of impact
This season’s Pink Promise jersey carries what the franchise describes as a deeper narrative. The kit design was developed through the Royals HunaRR Manch – Season 2: Rajasthan Royals Pink Promise Jersey Design competition, which drew more than 8,500 entries. The process also brought in the work of over 700 designers from across India, reflecting the idea of grassroots involvement shaping a wider social message.
The winning design was created by 19-year-old Samiksha Rameshwar Mundada from Nashik, who was selected as the winner by the jury.
- The artwork features a discreet ripple pattern meant to represent how transformation can begin with one person and spread through households and communities.
- Solar-inspired motifs are included to symbolise improved access to clean, sustainable energy.
- The jersey also carries the names of women supported by the Royal Rajasthan Foundation, turning the kit into a “story of impact” rather than only a playing uniform.
Progress so far and plans for 2026
Speaking about the initiative, Alok Chitre, Chief Operating Officer of Rajasthan Royals, said the Pink Promise has grown into a movement where cricket contributes to good beyond the match itself. He pointed to the programme’s on-ground results, noting that in 2024 it helped power 260 homes, before expanding to more than 520 homes in 2025. Chitre added that the franchise is looking to scale the impact further while staying focused on women-led transformation.
As part of the commitment for this year, the Royals will continue solar electrification efforts in the region. The franchise has set a direct link between game action and community benefit: for every six hit during the match, six homes will be electrified using solar power.
- In the previous two seasons combined, the programme contributed to powering 780 homes.
- Women from the Sambhar region—trained through RRF initiatives—are central to the effort, supporting installation, upkeep, and long-term sustainability of the solar infrastructure.
Why the match matters
The Pink Promise Match is presented as a reflection of Rajasthan Royals’ determination to build lasting impact through cricket—not just as a sport, but as a platform to empower communities and drive change where it matters most. With the May 9 fixture against Gujarat Titans at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the franchise aims to bring that purpose to the forefront of IPL 2026 under the all-pink jersey identity that has come to define the initiative.
