20,000 underprivileged kids light up IPL 2026 final with raw passion
Over 20,000 children packed Wankhede Stadium for the final IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. The young fans, from underserved backgrounds across three states, turned the game into a vibrant celebration of cricket and community spirit. The initiative was part of the annual Education and Sports for All (ESA) programme, organised in partnership with Reliance Foundation. More than 500 buses, decorated with artwork by children from NGOs, ferried the kids to the stadium from Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Long queues formed both outside and inside the venue as the children eagerly waited to cheer on Mumbai Indians. Despite their enthusiastic support, the home team lost to Rajasthan Royals in the match.
After the game, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya called the experience special. He spoke about his team’s desire to play good cricket for the young fans who had come to watch them. The event brought together thousands of children from tribal communities, villages, and underserved areas. Their presence filled the stadium with energy, highlighting the impact of initiatives like ESA in connecting cricket with grassroots communities. The match will be remembered as much for the spirit of the young crowd as for the game itself.
