On May 1, 2025, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur became more than just a cricket venue as Rajasthan Royals (RR) took on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The match, dubbed the “Pink Promise Match,” saw the Royals don their iconic all-pink jerseys, a symbol of their commitment to women-led transformation in rural Rajasthan.
Reason why RR players are donning the pink jersey
The special kit is part of RR’s ongoing initiative titled #PinkPromise, a campaign focused on women’s empowerment and rural upliftment. For every match ticket sold, the franchise has pledged to contribute INR 100 towards women-led development projects across Rajasthan’s rural pockets.
The initiative is being implemented through the team’s philanthropic wing, the Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF), which actively works on community-based projects. The image of the Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya standing alongside a woman in a traditional pink saree, holding these symbolic awards, captured the essence of the night—cricket as a force for good.
Also READ: First team to get knocked out in each IPL season ft. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Lighting up lives with every six
At the heart of the Pink Promise campaign is a focus on empowering women in rural Rajasthan through sustainable development. For every six hit in the match, RR committed to installing solar panels in six homes in the Sambhar region, a pledge that builds on the success of previous years. In 2024, the initiative illuminated 260 homes, with installations led by four women solar engineers trained by the RRF, the social equity arm of the franchise. These women have not only executed the installations but also managed maintenance and repairs, showcasing the transformative power of skill-building and opportunity.
Not just match tickets—the pink jerseys themselves serve a greater cause. All proceeds from their sales will directly benefit the RRF’s work in social equity, particularly women’s initiatives. This will mark the Royals’ second season donning the pink kit. The team first introduced the jersey in April 2024 during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where it received an overwhelmingly positive response.
