Green jersey returns as RCB push sustainability message
Royal Challengers Bengaluru continue their “Go Green” initiative, a campaign they have run since 2011. One home game each season is played in a green kit to promote environmental awareness and responsible choices. The jerseys are made from recycled materials, and the franchise has also worked on reducing its carbon footprint through small but consistent steps.
These include the use of solar power at facilities, encouraging fans to use public transport, and tree-planting drives. The gesture at the toss often reflects the theme, with a sapling or bouquet presented to the opposition captain. The idea is simple: use the visibility of the IPL to push a wider message. It is not a one-off campaign but a repeated effort each season.
Toss call splits plans as RCB eye total, DC trust chase
Delhi Capitals chose to bowl first, with captain Axar Patel backing the chasing template at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He called the surface hard but expected it to slow through the day. Is that enough to hold RCB’s batting? DC think so. They have stuck with the same XI and used the week-long break to reset after two losses. The focus, Axar said, remains on their own strengths rather than reacting too much to the opposition.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru saw it differently. Rajat Patidar wanted to bat first and set the game up. The plan is clear: use the better conditions early, get a total, and apply pressure. Can they go big on a surface that may slow down? That is the key question. RCB have kept the same XI and come in with form, especially at home, where results have started to turn in their favour.
100th IPL game
This is Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 100th IPL game at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. They become the first team to reach 100 matches at a single venue, with Kolkata Knight Riders next on 98 at Eden Gardens. Patidar spoke about making it a stronghold, with a final here later in the season.
As Virat Kohli returns to the playing XI after missing the last match and featuring as an Impact Player, it will give them a big boost.
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Impact Substitutes:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rasikh Salam Dar, Jordan Cox, Mangesh Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Venkatesh Iyer
Delhi Capitals: Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana