IPL teams are among the most popular T20 cricket league franchises in the world. The BCCI initiated the Indian Premier League in the year 2008 after the Indian cricket team won the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in the year 2007. Eight city-based franchises formed the IPL teams, with multiple franchises having celebrity owners.
Over the last 13 years, the brand value of the Indian Premier League and the teams has increased significantly. Apart from entertaining fans and making millions, the IPL teams have also done noble work. In the IPL history, there have been five instances when IPL franchises donned special kits for a noble cause. Here’s a look at those five instances:
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Green Kit
One of the unluckiest IPL teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the most-followed franchises. Although RCB have not won the championship yet, they have won hearts with their solid performances. Since 2011, RCB has played one home game in green kit to spread Go Green message.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore – Blue Kit
Captain Virat Kohli and RCB Chairman Prathamesh Mishra unveiled the special Blue Jerseys our stars will be wearing on the 20th of Sept against KKR. 🔵❤️#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 #1Team1Fight #KKRvRCB #BlueForAReason pic.twitter.com/7YPnv3OvCP
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 18, 2021
Another entry featuring the Royal Challengers Bangalore is the team’s blue kit. The Bangalore-based franchise unveiled the new kit in the year 2021. They wore it for the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders to honor the COVID-19 warriors.
3. Delhi Daredevils – Lavender-colored jerseys
Delhi Capitals, then known as Delhi Daredevils, wore lavender-colored jerseys for a match against the Punjab Kings in IPL 2015. They wore the kit on May 1 to mark the Cancer Survivor Day. Yuvraj Singh, who has defeated cancer, was a part of the Delhi team that year.
4. Delhi Capitals – Rainbow jersey for unity
DC Boys are ready to #EmbraceEveryColour tonight 🌈#RCBvDC #Dream11IPL #IPL2020 #YehHaiNayiDilli @JSWPaints pic.twitter.com/BzTIwAxZYx
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) October 5, 2020
In IPL 2020, Delhi Capitals wore the rainbow jersey for the match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore to mark their association with JSW Paints and also send a message of unity to everyone. DC CEO Dhiraj Malhotra had said:
“Our team will proudly don the JSW Paints jersey for the game against RCB not only in support of the Group’s tremendous contribution towards Indian sports but also to endorse the message of unity.”
5. Rajasthan Royals – Pink Kit
Swapping the ‘Royal Blue’ with ‘Pink’ tonight for a #Royal cause!!!
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 11, 2018
Get screening, be Cancer free!@JUnadkat, @ish_sodhi, @ShreyasGopal19 & @AryamanBirla !#HallaBol #RRvCSK #CancerOut #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/RyrnmMdQpj
Inaugural IPL winners Rajasthan Royals debuted a new pink kit in 2018 for the game against the Rajasthan Royals. They introduced the jersey to spread cancer awareness. RR supported the ‘Cancer Out’ campaign.