A New Innings for IPL: Dot Balls Now Grow Trees!
Before I dive into my coffee-fueled RCB story, here’s something super cool you might not know:
This season, BCCI with TATA group have started planting trees for every dot ball bowled.
Yep, you read that right.
One dot ball = 500 trees planted.
Talk about turning defense into climate action! It’s not just about saving runs now it’s about saving the planet, one delivery at a time. It’s the kind of initiative that makes you look at the game a little differently. And honestly, it fits perfectly with what RCB has been doing for years with their Go Green match.
So when I saw RCB walk out today wearing their iconic green jerseys, this idea clicked in my mind instantly
“This isn’t just cricket anymore. It’s climate conversation in action.”
Now let me tell you what happened today, and how a simple café visit turned into a blog you’re reading right now…
A Coffee, A Match & A Blog Idea
April 13, 2025 I was out with a friend at this cozy café near by. The plan was simple: chill for an hour, sip on some coffee, and catch up. But the universe had other plans.
We walked in, and guess what was playing on the big screen?
RCB vs Rajasthan Royals.
Now if you know me even a little, you’d know I’m a huge RCB fan and a borderline obsessive when it comes to Virat Kohli. So obviously, I grabbed a seat, ordered a Iced Americano with an extra shot, and locked in.
But something stood out.
RCB wasn’t wearing red today. They were in green jersey. And while I already knew this was part of their “Go Green” campaign, something about seeing it live, with a coffee in hand, hit different!
That moment gave me a spark.
Wait. I write blogs now.
I love cricket.
I love coffee.
I care about the planet.
Why not write about this
So here we are!
When RCB Went Green — A Bit of Backstory
Let’s rewind a little.
RCB launched the Go Green initiative back in 2011 yeah, over a decade ago! The idea came from the franchise’s desire to use cricket as a platform to promote environmental awareness. And honestly? It was ahead of its time.
Every season since then, RCB dedicates one match where they switch from their iconic red to bright green jerseys. It’s not for luck or style it’s for trees.
They play that match to remind fans that environmental protection is not just the government’s job, or the NGO’s it’s ours. And what better way to deliver that message than through the most-watched league in the world?
A Green Victory — Today’s Match That Inspired This Blog
And oh boy, what a match it was today.
RCB vs RR in Jaipur not only was it the green jersey game, but RCB delivered a performance worthy of the message.
Match Highlights:
- Rajasthan Royals: 173/4 in 20 overs Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 75 off 47
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 175/1 in just 17.3 overs Phil Salt smashed 65 off 33 Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 62 off 45 Devdutt Padikkal added a calm 40*
Captain Rajat Patidar summed it up beautifully:
“This (green jersey) is to raise awareness to plant more trees.”
Why Trees, Though?
The green jersey isn’t just a color swap. It’s a shoutout to something urgent: the environment.
Trees are our OG climate warriors. They:
- Absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Cool down cities
- Prevent soil erosion and floods
- Boost biodiversity and air quality
RCB’s motto for this initiative?
Every Run Counts. Every Tree Counts.
It’s not just catchy it’s actually deep.
When the players wear green, they’re not just representing Bengaluru they’re representing a cause. A movement. A statement that says:
“We love this game. But we also love the ground it’s played on.”
It’s one thing to talk about climate change. It’s another to use cricket as a bridge to bring that message to millions. And RCB’s been doing it quietly, consistently, and beautifully since 2011.
The Jersey Isn’t Just Fabric — It’s a Statement
When I see Kohli or other player in green, I don’t just see athletes I see ambassadors for the Earth.
Cricket is teamwork.
Climate action is teamwork too.
Cricket is a team game so is saving the planet. No one can do it alone.
RCB isn’t just asking you to cheer they’re asking you to care.
It’s not about being perfect it’s about doing your bit, just like every run counts on the scoreboard. That green jersey? It’s a reminder.
My Takeaway From That Cafe Screen
As I watched the match today, these thoughts ran through my mind:
- “How many people around me actually know the why behind the jersey?”
- “Could this match be someone’s first introduction to climate change?”
- “Can cricket fans become climate champions?”
Maybe this blog helps answer those questions.
Want to Join the Green Team?
Here’s what we can do:
Plant one tree this year. Just one.
Use your platforms talk about stuff that matters.
Stay curious. Learn more.
Support brands and teams that stand for sustainability.
Final Over: Red Team, Green Cause
I went for coffee. I stayed for the cricket. I walked away with a blog idea.
RCB’s green jersey reminded me that sports can have a soul.
It’s not just about boundaries and wickets.
It’s about consciousness, community, and climate.
And maybe, just maybe, that green jersey is planting more than trees it’s planting awareness.
Let’s not let it stop there.
